§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) when he will make available the 1983 estimated figures for the take-up of social security benefits;
(2) if he will conduct a survey into the amount of housing benefit that goes unclaimed.
§ Mr. WhitneyEstimates of the take-up of supplementary benefit and free welfare milk in 1983 are expected to be available later this year. It is hoped that an estimate of the take-up of one parent benefit in 1983 can be made by the end of this year. So far as family income supplement is concerned, it is hoped that an estimate of take-up based on 1983 and 1984 family expenditure survey data will be available early in 1986. Because of the introduction of housing benefit it is difficult to use the family expenditure survey data collected during 1983 to obtain reliable estimates of housing benefit take-up. I will however write to the hon. Member about this. We expect to be able to make estimates of the take-up of housing benefit for 1984 early next year. These estimates will include some information on about the amount of unclaimed housing benefit.