Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Wednesday, 27 February 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 April 2002. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 April 2002 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of the population received means tested benefits (a) in 1997 and (b) according to the most recent figures available. - Includes figures.

Answer: Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of the population received means tested benefits (a) in 1997 and (b) according to the most recent figures available. [40295] Malcolm Wicks: Overall, the proportion of people aged 16 and over receiving income-related benefits has fallen from 17.5 per cent. to 16 per cent. between May 1997 and May 2000. Notes: 1. Income-related benefits/tax credits are defined as income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, housing benefit, council tax benefit (plus disability working allowance and family credit for May 1997 only and working families tax credit and disabled persons tax credit for May 2000). 2. The data refer to claims for income tested benefits, which may be a single person, a couple or a family. More than one person can live in one property, for example two or more adults in a flat or house share arrangement. 3. Overlaps between benefits/tax credits have been removed.

Secondary information