HC Deb 25 November 1987 vol 123 c250W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many supplementary benefit claimants on the long-term rate of benefit were receiving heating additions at(a) the higher and (b) the lower rate on 30 September 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987; what percentages of the total numbers of claimants on the long-term rate were receiving each type of addition on that date; and what were these figures and percentages for each office of his Department within Newcastle-upon-Tyne;

(2) how many supplementary benefit claimants were receiving heating additions at (a) the higher and (b) the lower rate on 30 September 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987; what percentages of the total numbers of supplementary benefit claimants were receiving each type of addition on that date; and if he will give these figures and percentages for each office of his Department within Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Mr. Portillo

[pursuant to his reply] 4 November 1987, c. 783–84]: The information requested about the number and percentage of supplementary benefit claimants in Great Britain receiving heating additions in December 1984 and February 1986 is as follows:

1984 1986
I. Claimants on the long term rate of benefit
Nos (000s) with higher rate addition1 759.0 821.0
Nos (000s) with lower rate addition2 1,244.0 1,279.0
Percentage of those on long-term rate with higher rate addition 31.5 32.0
Percentage of those on long-term rate with lower rate addition 51.5 50.5
II. All Claimants
Nos (000s) with higher rate addition1 1,117.0 1,010.0
Nos (000s) with lower rate addition2 1,706.0 1,819.0
Percentage with higher rate addition 24.2 22.1
Percentage with lower rate addition 37.0 36.8

Source: 1984 and 1986 Annual Statistical Enquiry.

1Numbers include all those receiving central heating and estate rate heating additions at higher rate.

2Numbers include all those receiving central heating and estate rate heating additions at lower rate and also unspecified heating additions.