§ Lord Beaumont of Whitleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the average expenditure from government funds to support a family with two children when neither parent works. [HL2151]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is as follows:
However, based on data from the 1997–98 Family Resources Survey, it is estimated that the average weekly expenditure in 1997–98 on social security benefits for couples with two children where neither parent works is £188. Of this, £124 is spent on income-related benefits, and £64 on non income-related tested benefits. This excludes families if an adult's reason for not working is that he or she is retired or is a student.
Notes:
Non-income related benefits include: Statutory Sick Pay; Statutory Maternity Pay; Disability Living Allowance; Child Benefit; Retirement Pension; Widow's pension; Widowed Mother's Allowance; Widows Payment; War Widows' Pension; War disablement pension: Severe Disablement Allowance; Attendance Allowance; Invalid Care Allowance; Jobseeker's Allowance (Contribution-based); Industrial Injuries; Incapacity Benefit; Maternity Benefit; Guardians Allowance;
- 1. The above figure is based on data taken from the 1997–98 Family Resources Survey, which is an annual survey of the income of around 25,000 households in Great Britain.
- 2. The estimates are based on sample counts that have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors that control for region, Council Tax Band and a number of demographic variables. Estimates are subject to sampling error and to variability in non-response.
WA 166 - 3. Benefit receipt is based on self-assessment and therefore may be subject to mis-reporting.
- 4. Income related benefits include: Income Support; Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based); Family Credit; Disability Working Allowance; Housing Benefit; Council Tax Benefit; Social Fund payments: Back to Work Bonus; Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit run-on; Social Fund Grants for funeral expenses and maternity expenses; Community Care Grant.
Other DSS benefits are included under non-income related benefits.