HC Deb 25 January 1989 vol 145 cc616-7W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families are now receiving family credit.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook) on 13 January at columns781–82.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the Government expect to achieve their target for the take-up of family credit.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Expenditure on family credit is already running at approximately the level estimated for the current financial year. It is apparent that the majority of people with a large entitlement are already claiming it. Our overall target is to ensure that families are made aware of their possible entitlement to family credit and encouraged to claim it. We have had two major television and press campaigns and have issued leaflets to child benefit recipients paid through the Post Office. We are now planning a further major campaign, to include television, to coincide with the uprating in April.