§ 26. Mr. Sean Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many means-tested benefits there are in existence at the present time.
§ Dr. BoysonThree main means-tested support benefits are provided by the DHSS; supplementary benefit; housing benefit, which is administered by local authorities; and family income supplement. A range of other benefits is provided by central Government and by local authorities on an income-related basis. Because of difficulties of definition and because some of the benefits and tests overlap, it is not possible to give a precise number, but the total is about 40.