§ Mr. Robin CookTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much income support or supplementary benefit was paid to people looking after elderly persons in each year since 1974–75, in cash and constant 1988–89 prices, and how many people were paid the benefit in each year.
Index of the number of claimants receiving supplementary benefit or income support: 1979 to 1988 (using 1979 as the base year) Year Social security region 11979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 21988 North Eastern 100 112 134 151 155 164 166 170 167 146 London North 100 112 135 152 158 167 170 174 172 141 London South 100 109 127 144 149 158 162 167 163 133 Wales and South Western 100 108 127 142 145 156 158 161 156 137 Midlands 100 114 142 164 170 179 181 186 181 152 North Western 100 110 132 150 155 163 165 170 167 149 Scotland 100 109 131 149 157 167 170 187 186 169 1Figures for 1979 to 1981 are reworked data. 2 Figures for 1988 are provisional and subject to amendment. Sources: November/December quarterly count of cases in action, which include a number of cases where benefit payment has ceased but other action is continuing. Full figures set out in the reply on 6 March.