§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the income range of families in the bottom quintile of the national distribution of income, adjusted for differences in family size and composition; and if he will also give a breakdown by region of this figure.
§ Mr. NewtonThe latest available estimate, derived from the family expenditure survey is that the net income range in the bottom quintile of the national distribution of income is up to £72.40 per week for a married couple without children and the equivalent for other families. Net income in this context is defined as gross income including state benefits, less income tax and national insurance contributions, adjusted for differences in family size, family composition and tenure status. This definition is consistent with figures published in Volume 3 of the Green Paper "Reform of Social Security" (Cmnd. 9519).
468WRegional breakdowns are not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.