HC Deb 03 December 1984 vol 69 cc43-5W
Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what was the total expenditure, broken down by convenient district units, on social security in each of the past six years and in the current year:

(2) what percentage of total public expenditure broken down by convenient district units, in Northern Ireland has been spent on social security in each of the years 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84 and 1984–85.

Dr. Boyson

The information is as follows:

Financial year Total expenditure on Social Security £ million Social Security expenditure as a percentage of total public expenditure
1978–79 497 23.3
1979–80 589 24.1
1980–81 716 24.7
1981–82 868 27.0
1982–83 995 28.4
1983–84 *1,107 29.1
1984–85 *1,184 29.4
* Estimated figure.

Information on expenditure broken down by district or other units is not available.

Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the total numbers, by convenient district units, claiming each of the various benefits, supplements and allowances paid by the Department of Health and Social Services including the various additions and single payments under supplementary benefit, for the current year and each of the past six years.

Dr. Boyson

The information requested is extremely detailed, and I shall write to the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what figures are available to indicate the total numbers, by district, claiming housing benefit; and how many such claimants are totally dependent on social security.

Dr. Boyson

Information is not available on the number of recipients totally dependent on social security but the table shows the number who are in receipt of supplementary benefit.

District Council Area Number of Persons in Receipt of Housing Benefit Number of Housing Benefit Recipients also in Receipt of Supplementary Benefit
Antrim 4,700 3,000
Ards 6,500 3,700
Armagh 4,800 3,100
Ballymena 5,600 3,300
Ballymoney 2,800 1,700
Banbridge 3,200 1,700
Belfast 46,600 30,200
Castlereagh 5,700 2,900
Carrickfergus 3,400 2,000
Coleraine 6,000 3,800
Cookstown 3,400 2,400
Craigavon 9,300 5,900
Deny 12,300 8,600
Down 5,200 3,000
Dungannon 5,200 3,700
Fermanagh 6,000 4,000
Larne 3,200 2,000

District Council Area Number of Persons in Receipt of Housing Benefit Number of Housing Benefit Recipients also in Receipt of Supplementary Benefit
Limavady 3,000 2,100
Lisburn 9,500 6,000
Magherafelt 3,900 2,600
Moyle 1,900 1,300
Newtownabbey 8,400 4,900
Newry 10,700 7,100
North Down 6,300 3,000
Omagh 4,600 2,900
Strabane 5,000 3,600
Total 187,200 118,500

Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what figures are available, for the current year and each of the past six years, to indicate by convenient district units, the total number of households or individuals in Northern Ireland totally dependent on social security benefits and allowances.

Dr. Boyson

The information requested is not available.