HC Deb 05 July 1989 vol 156 cc195-6W
Mr. Andrew Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of take-up by pensioners of (i) income support and (ii) housing benefit.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Sir I. Gilmour) on 8 February at column713.

Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of pensioners in(a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom who are in receipt of retirement pension and income support, for each year since 1981.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

[holding answer 26 June 1989]: The number of individuals in receipt of both retirement pension and supplementary benefit for each year since 1981 is as follows:

Scotland (000s) Great Britain (000s)
December 1981 141 1,643
December 1982 140 1,698
December 1983 134 1,565
December 1984 140 1,578
February 1986 137 1,599
May 1987 149 1,620

Source: Annual Statistical Enquiries 1981–1987.

Note: Figures for the United Kingdom are not available. The number of persons in receipt of both retirement pension and income support is not yet available.