§ Mr. ClayTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate for the latest date available the number of dependants of unemployed people broken down into spouses and children.
§ Mr. JackOn the basis of the statistical information regarding unemployment benefit and income support in payment at May 1989, the number of dependants of unemployed people is estimated to be as follows:
Estimated number Adults1 378,245 Children2 607,000 1 It is not possible to isolate spouses. The figure is based on the number of cases where income support is payable in respect of a partner and, in the case of unemployment benefit, the number (of-adult dependency increases. 2 All children under 16 plus those under 19 in full-time education.