§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the numbers dependent on unemployed persons in receipt of unemployment benefit or supplementary benefit; and if he will identify how many are (a) spouses, (b) children under 16 years and (c) children over 16 years.
§ Mr. LyellThe latest available information is given in the table:
Number of Dependants (000s) Adult Under 19 years Claimant in receipt of Unemployment benefit only 175.7 n.a. Unemployment benefit and Supplementary benefit 2135 3209 Supplementary benefit only 2581 3916 1 As at November 1986. Figure includes persons having care of claimant's child as well as spouse. 2 Estimate as at February 1986. Figures are for partners. 3 Estimate as at February 1986. No age breakdown of the numbers of children available.