19. Mr. HinchcliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to ensure that the benefit system assists the families on the lowest incomes. [19717]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellThe Department maintains a comprehensive system of income-related benefits which are effective in focusing help on low-income families. Some 85 per cent. of income-related benefit expenditure goes to households in the bottom 40 per cent. of the income distribution and around a fifth of all social security expenditure goes to families with children.