Benefits (Hansard, 23 February 1987)

HC Deb 23 February 1987 vol 111 cc128-9W 129W

§ Mr. Frank Field
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of unemployed claimants drawing (a) unemployment benefit, (b) unemployment benefit and supplementary benefit and (c) supplementary benefit only in 1957, 1979 and the latest available date.

§ Mr. Lyell
The available information is given in the table.

Unemployment benefit only Unemployment benefit and national assistance/¹ supplementary benefit National assistance/ supplementary benefit

November. 1957 ²153,000 ²35,O0O 46,000

November. 1979 387,000 80,000 472,000

May 1986 732,000 194,000 1,684,000

¹ Supplementary benefit replaced national assistance in 1966.

² Estimates.

	Unemployment benefit only	Unemployment benefit and national assistance/¹ supplementary benefit	National assistance/ supplementary benefit
November. 1957	²153,000	²35,O0O	46,000
November. 1979	387,000	80,000	472,000
May 1986	732,000	194,000	1,684,000
¹ Supplementary benefit replaced national assistance in 1966.
² Estimates.