HC Deb 21 January 1991 vol 184 cc58-9W
Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are now in receipt of income support, paid to them for the purpose of sustaining mortgage repayments.

Miss Widdecombe

The information requested is in the table.

Income support claimants with mortgage interest included in assessment
Year Total
1989 281,000

Source: Annual statistical inquiry.

Note: Figures rounded to the nearest thousand.

Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total sum paid by his Department in 1990, and each of the preceding five years, to assist claimants with mortgage repayments.

Miss Widdecombe

Estimates of figures are given in the table.

Annual equivalent mortgage interest included in assessment of income support
Year Total £ million
1989 355
1988 285
1987 335
1986 350
1984 220

Source: Annual statistical inquiry.

Note:No annual statistical inquiry was undertaken in 1985; data for 1983 are not available. Figures for 1990 are not yet available.

Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the highest sum, known to his Department, paid per week to assist any individual claimant with mortgage repayments.

Miss Widdecombe

This information is not routinely collected. The 10 highest amounts added in the assessment of income support for mortgage interest identified by a 1 per cent. sample of cases are listed in the table in descending order:

Weekly amount (£)
176.17
174.98
162.26
160.63
159.18
157.58
157.06
148.43
143.31
142.01

Source: Annual Statistical Inquiry, May 1989.