Benefits (Hansard, 8 March 1984)

§ Mr. Gareth Wardell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish in the Official Report the number and percentage of families in south-east England in receipt of state benefits;

	A	B	At 1981
	Total number of families and single persons	Number of families and single persons receiving at least one state benefit	B as a percentage of A
	Thousands	Thousands	per cent.
I. South East England
(a) head under pension age	6,390	2,650	41
(b) head over pension age	1,890	1,860	98
(c) all	8,280	4,510	54
II. Wales
(a) head under pension age	1,170	670	57
(b) head over pension age	410	410	100
(c) all	1,580	1,080	68

These estimates are based on an analysis of the 1981 Family Expenditure Survey data and are subject to sampling error. Thus, for example, the estimate for pensioner headed families with at least one state benefit is not statistically significantly different at the 95 per cent. confidence level as between Wales and South East England, although that for families with head under pension age is. The definition of South East England is that used for statistical purposes as the standard region (see Regional Trends No. 17, 1982, HMSO). State benefits are defined as all social security benefits, primarily retirement pension and child benefit, but including rent and rate rebates/housing benefit.

686W

(2) if he will publish in the Official Report the number and percentage of families in Wales in receipt of state benefits.