§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reply he has sent to the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders in response to its submission to the Government objecting to proposals to reduce the level of board and lodgings payments to social security claimants.
§ Mr. WhitneyWe have received a copy of representations made to the Social Security Advisory Committee by the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders. These will be taken into account, along with all the other representations received, when we are considering the comments of the Social Security Advisory Committee on our proposals.
§ Mr. Andersonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the estimated numbers of supplementary benefit claimants receiving board and lodging benefits in the following age groups in each of the years 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984: (a) 16 and 17 years, (b) 18 to 25 years, (c) 26 years to retirement age and (d) over retirement age.
§ Mr. WhitneyAll the information in the form requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
The available information is as follows: 728W
Supplementary benefit claimants in ordinary board and lodging accommdation (including hostels and common lodging houses) 1979 1980 1981 1982 *1983 Aged 16–17 — — — 4,000 7,000 Aged 18–25 — — — 19,000 30,000 Aged 26–pensionable age — — — 48,000 58,000 All under pensionable age 34,000 45,000 58,000 71,000 95,000 All over pensionable age 15,000 10,000 11,000 14,000 14,000 *Provisional. Source: Annual Statistical Enquiries.
Supplementary benefit claimants paid as boarders in private and voluntary Residential Care Homes and Nursing Homes 1979 1980 1981 1982 *1983 Under pensionable age 1,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 3,000 Over pensionable age 11,000 12,000 12,000 14,000 23,000 * Provisional (Source: Annual Statistical Enquiries)