§ Ms. Harmanasked the Paymaster General what is the average weekly income of residents in the constituencies of Peckham, Southwark and Bermondsey and Dulwich for each year since 1979.
§ Mr. LeeThe information available comes from the family expenditure survey and relates to average gross weekly income of households in the Greater London area. The family expenditure surveys do not provide income information for smaller areas of Greater London.
Average gross weekly household income £ 1979 133.20 1980 169.55 1981 193.47 1982 200.63 1983 (a) 220.70 (b) 218.98 1984 231.27 1985 248.60 Notes:
- (1) Under the housing benefit scheme introduced in stages from November 1982 some cash transactions were eliminated leading to a reduction in the level of cash income. For 1983 figures are given (a) covering the same transactions as in the earlier years and (b) on a cash transactions basis consistent with the years 1984 and 1985.
- (2) Gross income as defined in the family expenditure survey comprises cash income (for example from employment, investments, pensions and cash social security benefits) together with selected other benefits such as the imputed value of owner occupied accommodation and the value of luncheon vouchers. It does not cover most non-cash benefits such as free prescriptions or benefits in kind (for example free coal, company cars). Gross income will not reflect rent and rates rebates except in so far as described in note 1 above.