Written question asked by Dennis Skinner (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 25 February 1997. It was answered by Roger Evans (Conservative) on Tuesday, 25 February 1997 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: What is the estimated number of people receiving income support; and what was the number in equivalent benefit terms, in 1979. (Failed OPQ). - Inc figs.

Answer: Mr. Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated number of people receiving income support; and what was the number in equivalent benefit terms, in 1979. [15764] Mr. Evans: There were 5.71 million income support recipients in February 1996. In November 1979 there were 2.855 million supplementary benefit recipients. Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. 2. Sample size 1979 supplementary pension cases one in 200. 3. 1979 supplementary allowance cases one in 50. 4. 1996 income support cases 5 per cent. Source: Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry February 1996. Supplementary Benefit Statistics Annual Enquiry 1979.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 15764; 291 c198-9W;291 c199W
Session: 1996-97
Question not reached: Yes
Subjects: Income support Recipients Social security benefits Supplementary benefits
Contains statistics: Yes