HC Deb 31 January 1994 vol 236 c579W
18. Mr. Eric Clarke

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many children in Britain are dependent on income support; and how many were dependent on supplementary benefit in 1979.

Mr. Burt

In February 1993, 2.97 million children were dependent on an adult receiving income support. In November 1979 there were 0.92 million.

Notes:

1. Sources: supplementary benefit statistics annual inquiry, November 1979/income support statistics quarterly inquiry, February 1993.

2. The figures have been rounded to the nearest ten thousand.

3. Children are defined as being under 16 years of age. Dependants are young people under the age of 19 still living in the parental home.