HC Deb 05 February 1990 vol 166 cc520-1W
35. Mr. Ian Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest figure he has for the number of single parent families in Britain in receipt of social security benefits.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

Virtually all lone parent families receive child benefit, but many also receive other benefits. The table sets out the most recent information for the main income-related benefits and for one parent benefit.

Numbers receiving Social Security Benefits
Number Date
Income support1 722,000 May 1988
Family credit 120,000 September 1989
Housing benefit 650,000 May 1988
One parent benefit 696,000 January 1990
1 Income Support: Figure does not incluie prisoners' partners.

Notes:

  1. 1. Number of lone parent families: OPCS estimates that in 1986 there were 1,010,000 lone parent families in Great Britain.
  2. 2. Claimants can be entitled to more than one benefit.

Sources: Income Support—Annual Statistical Enquiry 1988.

Family Credit—Departmental Statistics.

Housing Benefit—Housing Benefit Management Information System 1988.

One Parent Benefit—Departmental Statistics.