HC Deb 04 December 1992 vol 215 cc419-21W
Mrs. Helen Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much money is included in income support payments to meet water charges; and how many income support claimants have water charges of(a) less than £2 per week and (b) £2 per week or more, giving the number for each additional range of £1.

Mr. Burt

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mrs. Taylor) on 18 May 1992 at cols 28–9. It is estimated that in 1989 the distribution of water charges for income support recipients was as shown in the table.

Water charges (£ per week) Caseload
Nil 745
0–2 2,330
2–3 960
3–4 110
4 and over 20
Total 4,160

Notes:

1. Caseloads are thousands rounded to the nearest 5,000

2. Source: 1989 Family Expenditure Survey. Caseloads have been weighted to the 1989 Income Support statistical enquiry.

3. Amounts for water include sewerage and environmental charges.

Mr. Bowis

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the level of income support and oilier benefits in real and at 1983 price terms for each of the last 10 years for(a) 16 and 17-year-olds, (b) 18 to 24-year-olds and (c) those aged 25 years or over.

Mr. Burt

Income support was introduced in April 1988. The tables provide the rates for each year since 1988 and at 1992 prices.

Table (A) single person (aged 16–17)
Income support rate £ Average real value of benefit at April 1992 prices over the period Equivalent value of benefit at April 1992 prices at date of uprating
April 1988 19.40 24.33 24.83
April 1989 20.80 24.73 25.28
April 1990 21.90 24.28 25.03
April 1991 23.65 24.35 24.91
April 1992 25.55 — 25.55
Table (B) single person (aged 18–24)
April 1988 26.05 32.67 33.34
April 1989 27.40 32.58 33.30
April 1990 28.80 31.93 32.91
April 1991 31.15 32.07 32.81
April 1992 33.60 — 33.60
Table (C) single person (aged 25 or over)
April 1988 33.40 41.89 42.75
April 1989 34.90 41.50 42.41
April 1990 36.70 40.69 41.94
April 1991 39.65 40.83 41.76
April 1992 42.45 — 42.45

Notes:

1. As supplementary benefit (the predecessor to income support) varied according to household status and entitlement to a range of special additions, it is not appropriate to make comparisons with income support. Because of this, the reply is restricted to 1988 onwards and 1992 prices.

2. Anyone receiving income support is entitled to maximum housing benefit and community charge benefit (ie 100 per cent. of eligible rent and 80 per cent. of eligible community charge).

3. A wide range of other benefits are available to single people subject to their meeting the qualifying conditions.

Mrs. Helen Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much money is included in income support payments to meet water and sewerage charges.

Mr. Burt

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mrs. Taylor) on 18 May at cols28–9.