HC Deb 12 November 1996 vol 285 c197W
Mr. Cummings

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the number of people dependent on means-tested benefits,(a) at present and (b) in 1979. [1712]

Mr. Roger Evans

There were 8.45 million recipients of one or more income-related benefits in May 1995. A direct comparison with 1979 is not possible.