To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners were dependent on supplementary benefit in Scotland in 1979; and how many were dependent on income support on the latest date for which figures are available.
In November 1979 there were 160,000 supplementary benefit claim units in Scotland with a claimant or partner aged 60 or over. In May 1990, there were 168,000 income support claim units in Scotland with a claimant or partner aged 60 or over as recent improvements in income support have enabled more less well-off pensioners to become entitled.
Note: In 1990 there were 25,000 more people in Scotland aged 60 or over than in 1979.
Source: Supplementary Benefit Annual Statistical Inquiry November 1979.
Income Support Annual Statistical Inquiry May 1990.