Income Support (Hansard, 15 April 1991)

§ 14. Sir Michael Marshall
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many low-income pensioners have gained from the extra increases in income support that took effect earlier this month.

§ Miss Widdecombe
Some 400,000 claimants have gained directly from the extra increase in the basic pensioner premium in income support; well over 1.5 million have gained through housing benefit or community charge benefit. This means that since the beginning of October 1989 there has been a real increase in every one of the pensioner premiums applying to around 6 million people at a total cost of around £300 million.

§ Mr. Ronnie Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are receiving income support in the areas covered by the Blyth Valley Department of Social Security office.

§ Miss Widdecombe
On 28 February 1991 there were 8,326 income support claims at the Department's office in Blyth.
Notes: Data derived from 100 per cent. count of cases in action, which include a number where payment has ceased but other action is continuing. Data are provisional and subject to amendment.

§ Mr. Ronnie Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners claim income support in Blyth Valley; and what this is as a percentage of all pensioners.

§ Miss Widdecombe
On 28 February 1991 there were 2,559 income support claims from pensioners at the 89W Department's office in Blyth. Data are not available on the total pensioner population in Blyth on the date and for the precise geographical area to which the above information relates.
Note: Data derived from 100 per cent. count of cases in action, which include a number where payment has ceased but other action is continuing. Data are provisional and subject to amendment.

§ Mr. Dewar
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many adults in Scotland over the age of 18 years are dependent on income support for their livelihood at the latest date for which figures are available;
(2) how many people are in receipt of income support in Scotland at the latest date for which figures are available.

§ Miss Widdecombe
In May 1989, the latest date for which information is available, some 565,000 people in Scotland over the age of 18 were wholly or in part dependent on income support. This total comprises 483,000 claimants, 81,000 partners, and fewer than 500 dependants aged 18 or over. This information is drawn from the May 1989 "Annual Statistical Enquiry", a copy of which is available in the Library.