§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give details, on the same basis as his answer of 20 March, Official Report, column 287, of the breakdown of social security claimants for 1979 and 1985, or at the latest date available, into the categories (a) pensioners aged 80 years and over, (b) pensioners aged 60 to 79 years, (c) sick and disabled, (d) one-parent families, (e) low-paid families, (f) unemployed families, (g) single people, (h) childless couples and (i) widows and others; and if he will show the total number of recipients in 1979 and 1985.
§ Mr. MajorThe following table gives national details of people in receipt of supplementary benefit in December 1979 and 1984 (the latest figures available) in the categories requested:—
499W
(Thousands) *1979 *1984 Pensioners aged 80 years and over 384 476 Pensioners aged 60 to 79 years 1,339 1,200 Sick and Disabled 207 278 One parent families 322 518 Unemployed families 146 491 Single people 2,294 3,523 Childless couples 401 563 Widows 19 19 Others 32 189 Total Recipients 2,855 4,609
The number of low paid families in receipt of Family Income Supplement in December 1979 was 81,000 and in December 1984 203,000 +. *Annual Statistical Enquiry. The figures for 1984 are still provisional+ 10 per cent. annual sample.