HC Deb 27 April 1994 vol 242 cc190-1W
Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of lone parents in Scotland were living on income support each year since 1979.

Mr. Burt

The information requested is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

Scotland
Year Lone parents on benefits All lone parents Percentage %
1979 34,000
1980 35,000
1981 40,000 93,000 43
1982 47,000
1983 53,000
1984 52,000

Year Lone parents on benefit All lone parents Percentage %
1986 67,000
1987 76,000
1988 81,000
1989 88,000
1990 94,000
1991 102,000 132,000 77
1992 106,000
1993 106,000

Notes:

1. Sources: Supplementary Benefit Statistics Annual Enquiries 1979–1987; Income Support Statistics Annual Enquiries 1988–1992; Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, May 1993. Census 1981 and 1991, General Register Office for Scotland.

2. The answer has been rounded to the nearest thousand.

3. Supplementary benefit data is not available for 1985.

4. Information on the number of lone parents living in Scotland is only available for census years.

5. 1981 census figures include unmarried parents living with children.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many 16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland have been refused income support.

Mr. Burt

The information requested in respect of all claims from people aged 16 and 17 is not available. However, the success rate for those 16 and 17-year-olds who claimed under the severe hardship provision in Scotland was 82 per cent. in March 1994.