§ Mr. McMahonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated amount of unclaimed social security benefits; and if he will take steps to increase the take-up of benefits by those who are entitled to them.
§ Mr. NewtonThe latest available comprehensive estimate is that, in 1979, for those benefits with a significant take-up problem, about £400 million may have been unclaimed.
A number of measures have been taken to encourage the take-up of supplementary benefit, including the issue of leaflets to all unemployed people when they first visit an unemployment benefit office and to sick people when they have been ill for eight weeks.
A press and television campaign dealing with family income supplement has recently been completed at a cost of £½ million. An extensive range of other Publicity material is also used on a continuing basis and is subject to frequent revision and improvement.
There has been a substantial improvement in the take-up of one parent benefit, and we are considering the cost-effectiveness of new initiatives to increase take-up still further.
The Department also co-operates with well planned and carefully targeted local take-up campaigns.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what his latest estimate of the 401W numbers receiving supplementary benefit as a result of the 5 per cent. abatement in (a) unemployment benefit, (b) other short-term benefits and (c) invalidity pension.
§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to his reply, 27 January 1983, Vol. 35, c. 514]: On the basis of benefit rates and numbers of claimants at December 1981, it is estimated that the maximum numbers of people who would cease to receive supplementary benefit if the 5 per cent. abatement were restored would be approximately as follows:
Estimated maximum numbers Unemployment benefit 5,000 Other short-term benefits 1,000 Invalidity pension 2,000
§ Mr. Raceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many unemployed people would be lifted off supplementary allowance by a 10 per cent. increase in unemployment benefit rates if (a) such an increase were limited to the adult rates and (b) it included child dependency additions.
§ Mr. Rossi[pursuant to his reply, 1 February 1983, Vol. 36, c. 79–80]: On the basis of December 1981 rates of benefit and numbers of claimants, but taking account of the effects of housing benefit, it is estimated that about 24,000 claimants would cease to be entitled to supplementary benefit if the adult rates of unemployment benefit were increased by 10 per cent. Inclusion of child dependency additions in the increase would not materially affect that figure.