§ 63. Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what factors he attributes the increase in the numbers of poor during the period of 1979 to 1981.
§ Mr. NewtonThere is no general accepted income level below which people can be regarded as poor on which to base an answer. Undoubtedly, as a result of the recession, the number of unemployed and those with low incomes increased during the period to which the hon. Gentleman's question refers. But throughout this period the real value of supplementary benefit was maintained and, in some cases, improved; and many low-income families were helped by real increases in family income supplement.