§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people in Walthamstow and in the London borough of Waltham Forest, respectively, have been in receipt of (a) supplementary benefit and (b) housing benefit in each year since 1980.
§ Mr. LyellWalthamstow is covered by the Department's local office at Walthamstow. The London borough of Waltham Forest is covered by the Department's local offices at Walthamstow, Leytonstone, Woodgrange Park and Edmonton but their boundaries are not conterminous with those of the borough. The table shows the number of people receiving supplementary benefit from these offices on 10 February 1987 — the latest information available—and on comparable dates since 1980.
Year Walthamstow London borough of WalthamForest 1980 8,926 34,432 1981 9,944 38,976 1982 11,603 46,477 1983 12,956 51,385 1984 12,882 52,533 1985 13,255 54,570 1986 13,158 56,460 1987 13,719 58,374 Source: 100 per cent. count of cases in action.
The number of people who were in receipt of housing benefit or rebates or allowances under the Department of Environment schemes prior to 1982–83 in the London borough of Waltham Forest is as follows:
Number 1979–80 12,900 1980–81 13,800 1981–82 16,800 11982–83 22,500 1983–84 27,600 1984–85 35,600 21985–86 30,000 21986–87 26,500 Separate figures for Walthamstow are not available.
Source: Department of Environment and Local Authority Subsidy returns.
1 The Housing Benefit Scheme, which replaced the Rent and Rate Rebate Scheme was partially introduced in November 1982 and fully implemented in April 1983.
2 The figures for 1985–86 and 1986–87 are subject to revision.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate how many claims for (a) death grant and (b) maternity grant were made at (i) Cowdenbeath, (ii) Dunfermline and (iii) Kirkcaldy social security offices during 1986 or the last full year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. LyellThe information requested is as follows:
(a) Death grant (b) Maternity grant Cowdenbeath 529 556 Dunfermline 880 1,226 Kirkcaldy 1,560 459 The figures quoted are for the 1986 calendar year.
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§ Mr. O'Brienasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the reply of 16 March 1987, at column 413 about the income of a 15 year-old child, in what circumstances the amount would be less or more than the £15.60 given in his reply.
§ Mr. MajorThe figure of £15.60 represents the normal supplementary benefit requirements of a dependent child aged over 11 but under 16 where the person claiming benefit in respect of that child is either a householder or a member of someone else's household. Those requirements can be modified as follows:
Circumstances Amount of child's requirements 1. Family resident in board and lodging accommodation. An amound for the board and lodging charge plus any meals not included in the charge (subject to certain limits) plus £5.15 for personal expenses. 2. Child in hospital over 12 weeks. £7.90 3. Family receiving benefit under the urgent cases provisions during the first 14 days of a claim. £10.40 If the child suffers from an illness or disability which gives rise to necessary extra expenditure, for example, for heating, special diet, laundry, wear and tear on clothing, additional benefit may he paid.
§ Mr. O'Brienasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the answer of 16 March 1987, at column 413 about the income of a 15 year-old child, if the amount of £15.60 quoted in his reply includes child benefit.