HC Deb 29 July 1983 vol 46 cc660-1W
Sir Brandon Rhys Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish figures showing the number and percentage of households in Great Britain dependent on means-tested housing assistance, distinguishing between (a) people below and above retirement age and (b) supplementary benefit claimants and the rest.

Dr. Boyson

The information requested is set out in the following table, using the latest estimates of the number of households receiving help with their housing costs through housing benefit and supplementary benefit. In each case the figure is also expressed as a percentage of the total number of households in Great Britain, using figures derived from the 1981 census.

(a) number per cent.
Pensioners 3,950 19.6
Non-pensioners 2,990 14.8
(b)
On supplementary benefit(including housing benefit supplement) 3,220 16.0
Others 3,720 18.4

Total in both cases: 6,940 (34.4 per cent.)