§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people are currently living in households which are dependent upon supplementary benefit.
§ Dr. BoysonApproximately 7.2 million people were dependent on supplementary benefit in February 1983, the latest date for which information is available.
Source: Quarterly Enquiry February 1983.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of unemployed people are also receiving supplementary benefit.
§ Dr. BoysonThis information is given in the "Quarterly Analysis of Unemployed Claimants", a copy of which is in the Library. This shows that at May 1983. the latest date for which information is available, 62.5 per cent. of unemployed claimants were receiving supplementary benefit; 8.8 per cent. were receiving unemployment benefit and supplementary benefit; 53.7 per cent. supplementary benefit only.
§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many supplementary benefit appeals are outstanding in the Merseyside appeal district; to what extent the number of tribunal sittings has increased; and if he will take steps to reduce outstanding appeals.
§ Mr. NewtonOn 18 October 1983 there were 3,335 appeals outstanding in the part of the north western region formerly controlled by Mersey region. The number of tribunal sessions has recently been increased from 40 to 50 per week in an effort to reduce the number of appeals outstanding. Every effort is being made to recruit members for supplementary benefit appeal tribunals to enable additional sessions to take place.