HC Deb 27 October 1992 vol 212 cc625-6W
Ms. Corston

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to provide more reliable information about(a) the level of disposable household income of those currently receiving invalidity benefit, (b) the level of disposable income of those claiming, but not receiving, invalidity benefit and (c) the level of disposable income of those from whom entitlement to invalidity benefit has been withdrawn.

Mr. Scott

Information on the income of invalidity benefit claimants is not available as this information is not required to make a decision on the claim. Information on the income of invalidity benefit recipients—but not the other two groups identified by the hon. Member—is

Number of households with earnings
Thousands
Housing Benefit 330
Community Charge Benefit 641
Income Support cases with earnings of claimant 117
Income Support cases with earnings of partner 48
Family Credit (as at July 1992) 430

Notes:

1. Head of the household may not necessarily be the claimant.

2. In income support cases, neither the claimant nor the partner could have been in employment for more than 24 hours a week.

3. There will be considerable overlap between the benefits, e.g. the figures given for income support may also include housing benefit/community charge benefit.

4. Information on earnings is collected separately for a claimant or partner in income support cases, although there may be some overlap.

5. All figures arc rounded to the nearest thousand.