§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list in respect of each major benefit(a) the number of national insurance claimants and (b) the average size benefit payment made for the latest period for which figures ale available. [156095]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 29 March 2001]The information is in the table.
Social Security Benefit Number of claimants Average weekly amount (£) Jobseeker's allowance (contribution based)1,2,3,4 153,700 49.70 Retirement Pension1,2,5,6,7 11,043,000 67,40 Widow's Benefit1,2,5,6,7 256,500 54.81 Incapacity Benefit1,8,9 1,509,700 81.73 1Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred, amounts to the nearest penny 2Based on 5 per cent. sample therefore subject to sampling error. 3Includes claimants who are entitled to contribution based Jobseeker's Allowance and are also in receipt of income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. 4Source: Jobseeker's Allowance Quarterly Enquiry, November 2000. 5Figures include the Channel Islands and overseas. 6Average weekly amounts are based on entitlement recorded on PSCS at the date of extraction. 7Source: Pension Strategy Computer System at 30 September 2000. 8Excludes a small number of cases held clerically. 9Source: 5 per cent. sample of the benefit computer system.