Means-tested Benefits (Hansard, 14 July 1988)

§ Mr. Frank Field
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will detail the number of(a) claimants and (b) dependants claiming each of the means-tested benefits for which he is responsible.

§ Mr. Lester
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will update the reply to the then hon. Member for Kensington, 14 April 1986,Official Report, columns 271–72, estimating the total number of (a) families and (b) persons in the United Kingdom receiving income-related benefits; and if he will also estimate the number of families and persons who were entitled but not claiming.

§ Mr. Portillo
[holding answer 11 July 1988]: This information requested is set out as follows:

Income-related benefit recipients and their dependants Great Britain—latest available figures

( Thousands)

Date and benefit Number of recipients Number of dependants

May 1987

Supplementary benefit 4,896 3,309

March 1988

Family income supplement ¹210 ¹570

Autumn 1986

Standard HB 3,730 n/a

Recipients getting one or more income-related benefit ² 8,400 n/a

n/a—Figures not available.

¹ Cases considered at time of conversion to family credit. The number of dependants is estimated from earlier figures.

² This figure reflects an adjustment for the overlap between the benefits (ie people receiving two or more of the above benefits).

Income-related benefit recipients and their dependants Great Britain—latest available figures
( Thousands)
Date and benefit	Number of recipients	Number of dependants
May 1987
Supplementary benefit	4,896	3,309
March 1988
Family income supplement	¹210	¹570
Autumn 1986
Standard HB	3,730	n/a
Recipients getting one or more income-related benefit	² 8,400	n/a
n/a—Figures not available.
¹ Cases considered at time of conversion to family credit. The number of dependants is estimated from earlier figures.
² This figure reflects an adjustment for the overlap between the benefits (ie people receiving two or more of the above benefits).