HL Deb 06 June 1988 vol 497 c1228WA
Lord Mottistone

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish the new statistics on households with below average income.

Lord Skelmersdale

Following the recommendations in the report of the technical review of the DHSS low income statistics, which was placed in the Library on 29th March, we have placed in the Library the first edition of the new seriesHouseholds below average income: a statistical analysis. The tables cover the years 1981, 1983 and 1985. In addition, we have also placed in the Library the final edition of the Low Income Families figures covering the same years.

The tables show that living standards have been rising significantly, and that those with the lowest incomes have shared in the improvements. Indeed, between 1981 and 1985 the average incomes of those in the bottom tenth rose by over 8 per cent.—well ahead of the average increases for the population as a whole.