HC Deb 19 June 1991 vol 193 cc203-4W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of the population of London's adults were receiving income support(a) in 1980, (b) in 1985, (c) in 1990 and (d) at the last date for which figures are available.

Miss Widdecombe

The administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief

Number of heads of benefits units facing marginal deduction rates by range (in thousands)
Per cent. 1985–86 Per cent. 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92
100+ 70 100+ 0 0 0 0
90+ 130 90–99+ 45 45 45 50
80+ 290 80–89+ 300 165 190 145
70+ 290 70–79+ 170 205 160 195
60+ 450 60–69+ * 5 5 5
50+ 680 50–59+ 0 5 0 0
40+ n/a 40–49+ 70 35 270 20

Notes:

1. Figures are based on pooled family expenditure survey data. Those for 1985–86 are cumulative and those for 1991–92 are estimated.

2. Calculated for benefit units in receipt of income related benefits where at least one partner works 24 hours per week or more.

3.* represents a figure of less than 2,500.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the marginal withdrawal rate out of executive of the Benefits Agency. I understand from him that the information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals claimed for income support in 1988 and each succeeding year as a result of being refused unemployment benefit.

Mr. Jack

The information requested is not available. However, the numbers of people refused unemployment benefit to whom income support was in payment on particular days are shown in the table1.

Unemployed claimants not receiving unemployment benefit
Income support in payment
12 May 1988 1,254,415
10 November 1988 1,065,932
11 May 1989 997,044
9 November 1989 918,934
10 May 1990 914,273
8 November 1990 969,316
1 Information from "Unemployment Benefit (UB) Statistics, Half Yearly Analysis of Unemployed Claimants".