§ Mr. Raceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide the figures upon which are based the percentages concerning modified deductions for voluntary unemployment, given in paragraph 2 of his Department's explanatory note to the Social Security Advisory Committee on amendments to the Supplementary Benefits (Requirements) Regulations; and if he will clarify whether the percentages quoted are monthly or annual figures.
§ Mr. NewtonThe figures on which the percentages concerning modified deductions for voluntary unemployment are based were derived from the supplementary benefit annual statistical inquiries for the years 1979, 1980 and 1981. These inquiries analyse data from a random sample of cases, selected on one day in November or December each year. The figures therefore relate to one point in time. Annual numbers have been estimated from the figures, on the assumption that the average period for which voluntary unemployment deductions are applied is four weeks. The following table gives the information requested: 51W
1979 1980 1981 (a) Total number of unemployed people receiving supplementary allowance at time of ASE 566,000 854,000 1,320,000 (b) Total having a voluntary unemployment deduction 28,000 20,500 14,500 (c) Total with deduction at modified rate [fewer than] 500 5,500 5,000 (d) Total (c) as a percentage of (b) [less than] 2 per cent. 26 per cent. 34 per cent. Annual figures (e) Annual total of new and repeat claims from unemployed people resulting in a regular allowance 2,200,000 2,500,000 2,720,000 (f) Estimated annual total of cases with a voluntary unemployment deduction 364,000 264,000 190,000 (g) Estimated annual total of cases with a modified deduction [fewer than] 6,000 69,000 64,000