HC Deb 23 March 1998 vol 309 cc64-5W
Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of(a) single male pensioners aged 65 to 69 years, (b) single female pensioners aged 60 to 64 years and (c) married pensioners aged 65 to 69 years were in receipt of income support or supplementary benefit in each year since 1988 for which statistics are available. [34128]

Mr. Denham

The information is set out in the table.

Income support pensioner claimants by age, 1988 to 1997
Year Single male aged 65–69 Per cent. ofall malesaged 65–69 Single female aged 60–64 Per cent. of all females aged 60–64 Couples:claimantaged 65–69 Per cent. ofall males/femalesaged 65–69
1988 40,000 3.1 104,000 6.9 43,000 1.5
1989 33,000 2.5 100,000 6.7 36,000 1.2
1990 32,000 2.5 89,000 6.0 34,000 1.2
1991 34,000 2.7 85,000 5.8 28,000 1.0
1992 36,000 2.9 86,000 6.0 31,000 1.2
1993 42,000 3.4 101,000 7.0 42,000 1.6
1994 46,000 3.7 103,000 7.3 46,000 1.8
1995 49,000 4.0 106,000 7.6 52,000 2.0
1996 50,000 4.1 104,000 7.5 53,000 2.0
1997 51.000 4.2 104,000 7.5 51,000 2.0

Notes:

1 Numbers are given as at May of each year given and are rounded to the nearest thousand.

2. Percentages are given to one decimal place.

3. Sample size 1 per cent. up to and including 1992, 5 per cent. thereafter.

4. Percentages for 1997 are based on mid-term population estimates for 1996.

Sources:

1. Income Support Annual Statistical Inquiries, 1988–1993.

2. Income Support Quarterly Statistical Inquiries, May 1994 to May 1997.

3. Office for National Statistics Mid-term estimates of the population 1988–1996.