§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest average length of time taken to process applications for family credit, income support and housing benefit.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardDuring October 1989, family credit claims were cleared on average in 17.6 working days, of which only 4.3 days were for work within the family credit unit. The remaining 13.3 days were taken up awaiting replies to inquiries mainly from employers. During September 1989, income support claims were dealt with on average in 5.2 working days. For housing benefit, which is processed by local authorities, information is not collected in the form requested. Information for the financial year 1988–89 is not yet complete, but the figures available indicate that three out of four claims were processed in 14 days.
§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest figure for the administrative cost of(a) child benefit and (b) family credit, in cash terms and as a proportion of overall expenditure on each benefit.
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§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe latest child benefit figures available—for the year to April 1988—are estimated as:
Administrative expenditure £103 million Proportion of total benefit expenditure 2.2 per cent. No figures are yet available for family credit which was introduced only from April 1988 but the figures for its preceding benefit—family income supplement—for 1987–88 are:
Administrative expenditure £8 million Proportion of total benefit expenditure 4.4 per cent. Figures for the year ending April 1989 will be available shortly.