HC Deb 28 February 1989 vol 148 c154W
Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the average time an unemployed claimant has to wait for income support once he or she has registered for benefit.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Income support is normally paid fortnightly in arrears in line with unemployment benefit. I regret that no information is available on the average time that elapses between registration and the first payment of benefit.