§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Paymaster General if he will list each adult retraining scheme, the numbers on it, projected numbers for 1987, 1988 and 1989, and the most recent estimate of the cost per place.
§ Mr. TrippierI shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Number of new and repeat claims to supplementary benefit (inc. unsuccessful) Number of people receiving supplementary benefit* 1982–83 1985–86 Per cent, change 1982–83 1985–86 Per cent, change Rusholme 18,865 13,985 -25.9 11,140 12,499 +12.2 Chorlton 12,030 10,221 -15.0 8,805 10,242 +16.3 Sale 19,207 19,525 +1.7 14,554 15,294 +5.1 * Based on a 100 per cent, count of cases in action at February.
Percentage change in complement 1982–83—1985–86 Supplementary benefit staff All staff Rusholme +6.1 -6.2 Chorlton +11.9 -2.9 Sale +14.6 -9.2 Direct comparisons between numbers ol statt and claims are misleading as work loads vary considerably by type and duration of claim and the action that has to be taken. All these factors vary over time as a result of legislative, policy and procedural changes. Examples of such changes are the introduction of Housing Benefit and postal claim forms.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many children in Scotland were living in families below supplementary benefit level, on supplementary benefit, and with incomes up to 140 per cent.