§ Mr. Ralph HowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total number of lone parents and their dependants in November 1979 and November 1990 or the nearest date possible, dependent on receipt of social security benefit or income support and family income or payment; and what was the total number of lone parents and their dependants on the same dates, showing in each case the percentage change since 1979.
§ Mr. JackThe information requested is set out in the table. The latest information available is shown, but the dates vary and the sets of figures are therefore not strictly comparable. The references to social security benefit and family income have been read as supplementary benefit and family income supplement/family credit respectively.
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Supplementary benefit 1 income support1 November 1979 May 1989 Percentage increase Lone parents 318,000 767,000 141 Dependants 558,000 1,307,000 134 1 Annual Statistical Enquiries—November 1979 and May 1989. Figures do not include prisoners' partners.
Family income supplement/family credit2 November 1979 July 19904 Percentage increase Lone parents 42,000 126,000 200 Dependants 73,000 200,000 174 2 Ten per cent, sample of family income supplement load and 5 per cent, sample of family credit load. 4 The family credit figure for 1990 shows the position at the end of July.
Total of lone parent families3 November 1979 November 1986 Percentage increase Lone parents 840,000 1,010,000 20 Dependants 1,400,000 1,600,000 14 3 Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys—"Population Trends 45" (Autumn 1986) and "Population Trends 55" (Spring 1989).