HL Deb 07 November 1989 vol 512 c698WA
Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is the case that the number of households drawing social security benefit has risen from 2.9 million in 1979 to 4.9 million in May 1987, and if so, under what headings this increase has been concentrated.

Lord Henley

The information requested is as follows:

Supplementary Benefit Recipients in Great Britain
1979 1987 Millions INCREASE
Pensioners 1.7 1.7
Sick and Disabled 0.2 0.4 0.2
Lone Parents 0.3 0.6 0.3
Unemployed 0.6 2.0 1.4
Others 0.1 0.2 0.1
Total 2.9 4.9 2.0

Source: annual statistical inquiries