HC Deb 24 March 1986 vol 94 cc374-5W
Mr. Michie

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what, for the most recent date for which information is available, were, or were estimated to be (a) the number of people in receipt of benefit, (b) the number of people in receipt of benefit who were also receiving supplementary benefit, and (c) the number of people in receipt of benefit who were also receiving standard housing benefit, in respect of each of the following: (i) retirement pension, (ii) invalidity pension, (iii) widow's pension, (iv) widow's allowance, (v) widowed mother's allowance, (vi) unemployment benefit, (vii) sickness benefit, (viii) maternity allowance, (ix) invalid care allowance, and (x) severe disablement allowance;

(2) what, for the most recent 12-month period for which information is available, was, or was estimated to be (a) the benefit expenditure, (b) the benefit expenditure, with respect to people who were also receiving supplementary benefit, and (c) the benefit expenditure with respect to those people who were also receiving standard housing benefit in relation to each of the following: (i) retirement pension, (ii) invalidity pension, (iii) widow's pension, (iv) widow's allowance, (v) widowed mother's allowance, (vi) unemployment benefit, (vii) sickness benefit, (viii) maternity allowance, (ix) invalid care allowance, and (x) severe disablement allowance.

Mr. Newton

The latest figures for numbers of people in receipts of the benefits listed, together with supplementary benefit and standard housing benefit, are as follows:

¶ 31 December 1983

n.a.=Not available.

• Housewives Non-Contributory Invalidity Pension and Non-Contributory Invalidity Pension were replaced by Severe Disablement Allowance in Nobember 1984.

Benefit expenditure is not analysed in the form requested. However, the expenditure for the individual benefits listed was as follows in the financial year 1983–84:

Benefit Expenditure
£ million
Retirement Pension 14,654
Widows' Benefit (all) 771
Sickness Benefit 265
Invalidity Benefit 1,872
Non-Contributory Invalidity Pension* 182
Maternity Allowance 141
Invalid Care Allowance 10
* including Housewives' NCIP.

For an analysis of the amount of supplementary and housing benefit paid by client group I refer the hon. Member for table 3.15.9 of the public expenditure White Paper, volume II (Cmnd. 9702–II).