§ Chris RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were in receipt of means-tested benefits or tax credits, by region, as(a) a percentage of population and (b) a total number, in descending order according to percentage figures in 2000. [30610]
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§ Malcolm Wicks[holding answer 30 January 2002]: The information on recipients of income-related benefits is in the table. Tax credits are the responsibility of the Inland Revenue.
Recipients of income-related benefits by Government office region—May 2000 Region Recipients (Thousand) Percentage of the regional population1 England (north-east) 400 19 Scotland 740 18 England (north-west) 940 17 England (London) 940 16 Wales 370 16 England (Yorkshire and Humberside) 620 15 England (west midlands) 630 15 England (east midlands) 430 13 England (south-west) 470 12 England (east) 470 11 England (south east) 620 10 1 Percentage of the regional population aged over 16. Notes:
1. Key income related benefits are jobseeker's allowance, income support, minimum income guarantee, housing benefit and council tax benefit.
2. The data refers to recipients of income-related benefits which may be a single person, a member of a couple or a member of a family.
3. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10,000.
Source:
Client Group Analysis of DWP Information Centre 5 per cent. statistical samples—May 2000, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System annual 1 per cent. sample taken in May 2000. Population figures are provided by Office for National Statistics, Population Estimates Unit.