§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families rely on means-tested benefits to top up low wages.
§ Mr. Jack[holding answer 11 March 1991]: The table sets out the latest available information on the number of families in receipt of income-related benefits who were also in receipt of income from employment (either part time or full time). There is no agreed definition of what constitutes "low wages", and as indicated in the published DSS tax/benefit model tables, entitlement to income-related benefits can extend some considerable distance up the income scales depending on family circumstances and composition. The contribution made by income-related benefit to overall household income will similarly vary between families—clearly, some of the families listed will be entitled to larger amounts, whereas for others the benefit may form only a very small proportion of overall household income. Figures for income support and housing benefit are derived from the 1989 annual statistical inquiry and show the position at May 1989. The figure for family credit is an estimate of case load as at July 1990.
Number Income support 112,000 Housing benefit1 150,000 Family credit 325,820 1 The total includes those in receipt of rent rebate, rent allowance and or rate rebate in England and Wales and recipients of rent rebate/allowance and community charge rebate in Scotland. This therefore excludes cases in Scotland who were in receipt of community charge rebate only.