HC Deb 21 November 1983 vol 49 cc63-4W
Ms. Harman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will estimate how many people in Southwark were living below supplementary benefit level in 1979 at the latest date for which figures are available; and what percentage increase that represents;

(2) if he will estimate how many people in Southwark in 1979 were living on an income below the supplementary benefit level even though there was at least one wage-earner in the family, at the latest date for which figures are available; and what percentage increase that represents;

(3) how many children in Southwark in 1979 were living in families below the supplementary benefit level at the latest date for which figures are available; and what is the percentage increase since 1979.

Dr. Boyson

I regret that the information requested is not available.

Mr. Dorrell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the net cost (a) in a full year and (b) in the 1984–85 tax year of extending the long-term rate of supplementary benefit (i) to all the long-term unemployed who do not currently qualify for it and (ii) to the long-term unemployed with children who do not currently qualify.

Dr. Boyson

The cost of extending the long-term rate of supplementary benefit to unemployed persons who do not currently qualify is estimated at:

£ million
(a) in a full year at November 1983 benefit rates
(i) all unemployed persons 480
(ii) unemployed with children 220
(b) in financial year 1984–85 with an uprating in November 1984 in line with assumptions in the Public Expenditure White Paper Cmnd. 8789
(i) all unemployed persons 490
(ii) unemployed with children 230