§ Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has as to the number and percentage of families in south-east England where income is (a) less than £100 per week and (b) less than £150 per week.
§ Dr. Boyson[pursuant to his reply, 22 February 1984, c. 573]: The most recent estimates available relate to 1981 and are shown in the following table. For completeness families are analysed by whether or not the head is over pension age.
Families and single persons* in South East England† with gross weekly income below specific amounts Thousands Gross weekly income below £100 £150 Family head or single person under pension age: Number 2,230 3,730 Percentage of all families and single persons under pension age 35 58 Family head or single person over pension age: Number 1,620 1,780 Percentage of all families and single persons over pension age 86 94 All Number 3,850 5,510 Percentage of all families and single people under pension age 47 67 * A family is defined as: a couple living together with or without dependent children; or a single person with dependent children. (Dependent children are those aged under 16 and those aged 16 but under 19 in full-time education). Single persons age 16 or over (or if in full-time education aged 19 or over) also count as separate family units irrespective of whether or not they live in their parents' households. † South East England is defined as Greater London, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Sussex, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Isle of Wight, Kent Oxfordshire and Surrey.