HC Deb 15 March 1984 vol 56 cc261-2W
Mr. Speller

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the proportion of social security benefits spent on fuel; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Boyson

Social security benefits form a different proportion of different people's incomes ranging from quite a small element to the person's entire income. So although data is available from the family expenditure survey about the proportion of income spent on fuel at different income levels, it is not possible to say what proportion of social security benefits in themselves are actually spent on fuel.