§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will review income support rates to ensure that they are adequate to cover a basic standard of living.
§ Mr. BurtIncome support rates are reviewed each year and uprated by the Rossi index. From April this year, income support rates have been increased by 7 per cent., nearly 3 per cent. more than the RPI for the same period.
§ Mr. RaynsfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost to his Department of payments towards mortgage interest on the part of income support recipients in each of the years from 1988 to 1991; and what is his Department's estimate of the cost of such payments in the current year.
§ Mr. BurtThe table gives estimates from 1988 to 1990, the latest year for which information is available:
Source: Income Support Statistical Inquiries 1988 to 1990.
Amount included in assessments Year £ million 1988 286 1989 353 1990 554 Notes:
- 1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest million.
- 2. The figure for 1991 will be in the 1991 Annual Statistical Inquiry which will be published on 19 June. A copy will be placed in the Library.
§ Mr. RaynsfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of income support have been receiving amounts in respect of mortgage payments on their home in each of the years from 1988 to 1991; how many are currently receiving such assistance; and what is his Department's estimate of the number likely to be receiving such assistance in the current year.
§ Mr. BurtThe table gives estimates from 1988 to 1990, the latest year for which information is available.
Source: Income Support Statistical Inquiries 1988–90.
Number of claimants receiving help with mortgage interest Year Number 1988 300,000 1989 281,000 1990 310,000 Notes:
- 1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.
- 2. The figure for 1991 will be in the 1991 Annual Statistical Inquiry which will be published on 19 June. A copy will be placed in the Library.