HC Deb 21 October 1988 vol 138 cc1028-9W
Mr. Lester

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing the number of people claiming(a) supplementary benefit-income support (b) rent-rebate-allowances (c) rate rebates and (d) family income supplement-family credit, in each year since 1975, including estimates for 1988, distinguishing between pensioners and those of working age and between certificated and standard housing benefit.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

[holding answer 29 July 1988]: The information is set out in the tables.

The tables stand alone: figures for particular years cannot be added together to provide a total number of people, as individual recipients may receive more than one benefit.

Supplementary Benefit/Income Support Recipients
(November/December of each year)
1 Working age 2 Pensioners 3 Total
1975 1,113 1,679 2,793
1976 1,274 1,687 2,960
1977 1,253 1,738 2,991
1978 1,195 1,738 2,932
1979 1,132 1,723 2,855
1980 1,423 1,694 3,118
1981 1,985 1,738 3,723
1982 2,486 1,781 4,267
1983 2,698 1,651 4,349
1984 2,926 1,683 4,609
41985
51986 3,221 1,717 4,938
61987 3,169 1,727 4,896
71988 3,000 1,770 4,770

Housing Benefit Recipients
Great Britain—thousands
Rent Rebate Allowance Rate Rebate
Pensioners Working age 4Total Pensioners Working age 4Total
Certificated Housing Benefit
1975–76 to 1982–83—Not applicable1
1983–84 1,185 1,355 2,540 1,575 1,690 3,265
1984–85 1,155 1,490 2,645 1,580 1,925 3,505
1985–86 1,255 1,380 2,635 1,675 1,770 3,445
1986–87 1,100 1,540 2,645 1,490 1,960 3,455
1987–88 1,140 1,570 2,705 1,550 1,945 3,495
1988–895 1,115 1,640 2,755 1,540 1,900 3,440
Standard Housing Benefit
1975–76 to 1978–793
1979–80 3 3 1,440 3 3 3,070
1980–81 3 3 1,570 3 3 3,350
1981–82 3 3 1,840 3 3 3,710
1982–83 3 3 1,910 3 3 3,510
1983–842 1,365 845 2,210 2,530 1,225 3,755
1984–85 1,360 820 2,180 2,530 1,195 3,725
1985–86 1,385 840 2,220 2,445 1,130 3,575
1986–87 1,550 710 2,255 2,540 1,060 3,595
1987–88 1,585 720 2,305 2,495 1,040 3,535
1988–895 1,395 335 1,730 1,925 475 2,400
1 Prior to November 1982 householders on supplementary benefit received assistance with rent and rates through the supplementary benefit scheme.
2 A new housing benefit scheme for householders not receiving supplementary benefit was introduced from April 1983.
3 Not available.
4 Subject to rounding.
5 Estimated impact of the New Scheme of Housing Benefit introduced in April 1988. The terms "certificated" and "standard" housing benefit no longer apply and have been superseded by receipt and non-receipt of income support.