HL Deb 22 October 1991 vol 531 cc137-8WA
Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people are in receipt of income support, what percentage of the population over the age of 18 this represents, and how many of the recipients are (a) of pensionable age, (b) in receipt of a disability premium and (c) registered unemployed.

Lord Henley

The latest available figures show that there are 4,179,906 people in receipt of income support (including 21,156 16 and 17-year-olds). This represents 9.68 per cent. of the total population over 18.

  1. (a) The number of people receiving income support who were over pensionable age is 1,674,714;
  2. (b) There are 393,469 in receipt of a disability premium; and
  3. (c) The number of income support recipients registered as unemployed is 970,982.

Source: Annual Statistical Enquiry May 1990.