§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the(a) number of income support claimants, (b) number of partners and dependent children of income support claimants and (c) total on income support; and what was the percentage change in numbers of those on income support for each year since 1979.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe information requested is in the table.
557W
Income Support/Supplementary Benefit (Thousands) Claimants Partners and dependent children (a+b) Percentage change in (c) since previous year Year (a) (b) (c) (d) 1979 2,855 1,516 4,371 — 1980 3,118 1,745 4,863 11.3 1981 3,723 2,399 6,122 25.9 1982 4,267 2,803 7,070 15.5 1983 4,349 2,888 7,237 2.4 1984 4,609 3,119 7,728 6.8 19861 4,938 3,353 8,291 7.3 1987 4,896 3,309 8,205 -1.0 1988 4,352 3,036 7,388 -1.00 1989 4,160 2,860 7,020 -5.0 1 There was no Annual statistical inquiry in 1985: the one due in December that year was deferred until February 1986. Sources:
1979–88 annual statistical inquiries.
1989 Provisional figures based on May quarterly statistical inquiry.
§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants moved off income support in April 1989 and April 1990 in consequence of the uprating of social security benefits.
§ Mrs Gillian ShephardI regret that the information is not available.
§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out the real-terms value of supplementary benefit income support for(a) a young person aged 20 years and (b) a married couple over 25 years each year since 1979, on an index basis taking 1979 = 100.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe question is not sufficiently specific concerning the circumstances of the 20-year-old and married couple to allow a table to be drawn up.