HC Deb 08 February 1994 vol 237 cc209-10W
Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will publish the level in real terms of each benefit in 1979, or at time of introduction if later, and at present;

(2) what is the current level of each benefit; and what it was in 1979, or at the time of introduction, if later, in constant prices.

Mr. Burt

The information for the main social security benefits is in the table.

Level of benefit in 1993 or time of introduction, at 1993 prices
Benefit April 1993 Rate in 1979 or introduction, at April 1993 prices
£ £
Retirement pension single person 56.10 54.37
Retirement pension married couple 89.80 87.04
Unemployment benefit (personal benefit) 44.65 43.17
Unemployment benefit (Dep.Adult increase) 27.55 26.72
Invalidity benefit 56.10 54.37
Attendance allowance (higher rate) 44.90 43.40
Mobility allowance 1 28.00
Disability living allowance (Care component higher rate) 44.90 243.91
Disability living allowance (mobility component higher care) 31.40 230.69
Child benefit (first child) 10.00 9.33
Child benefit (subsequent children) 8.10 9.33
One parent benefit 6.05 5.83
Supplementary benefit (couple with 2 children aged 7 and 11) 1 95.14
Supplementary benefit (pensioner couple) 1 82.06
Income support (couple with 2 children aged 7 and 11) 115.85 3111.31
Income support (pensioner couple) 95.25 389.24
Family income supplement 1 29.42
Family credit (one child under 11) 53.25 350.29
1Indicates benefit replaced.
2Introduced April 1992.
3Introduced April 1988.

Note: The amounts relating to pensioners under the age of 80 have been giver.

1993. Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many benefit claimants there were, excluding unemployment-related claimants, in(a) 1979 and (b)

Mr. Burt

The information is in the table. Figures relate to benefit recipients and unless otherwise stated have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

Some claimants receive more than one benefit. It has not been possible to exclude unemployment-related claims except in the case of supplementary benefit/support and unemployment benefit itself.

Benefit recipients
Benefit 1979 1993
Attendance Allowance 286,000 890,000
Child Benefit 7,190,000 6,855,000
Child Special Allowance 1825 199
Rent Rebate3 1,205,000 22,961,000
Rent Allowance3 220,000 21,217,000
Rate Rebate3 3,065,000 Not applicable
Community Charge Benefit3 Not applicable 26,254,000
Disability Living Allowance Not applicable 1,167,000
Disability Working Allowance Not applicable 13,165
FIS/Family Credit 81,000 487,000
Guardians Allowance 4,000 2,000
Supplementary Benefit/Income Support 2,288,000 3,671,000
Industrial Death Benefit 31,000 22,000
Industrial Disablement Benefit 198,000 2204,000
Invalidity Benefit 610,000 21,439,000
Invalid Care Allowance 6,000 2189,000
Maternity Allowance 105,000 211,000
Mobility Allowance 138,000 Not applicable
One Parent Benefit 381,000 877,000
Pneumo, Byssinosis and misc. 2,000 21,000
Reduced Earnings Allowance 148,000 2157,000
Retirement Pension 8,806,000 10,084,000
Sickness Benefit 430,000 21,38,000
Severe Disablement Allowance Not applicable 2302,000
Widows Benefit 452,000 337,000
Workmans Compensation 5,000 21,000
War Pension 367,000 2260,000
HNCIP/NCIP 162,000 Not applicable
1 Exact figures.
2 1992 data.
3 Figures relate to benefit units.