The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1983-1987 Parliament

Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Living Standards – 9 June 1986

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Living Standards on 9th June 1986.


Dr. Godman Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is able to estimate what percentage of the population of Greenock and Port Glasgow live at or below the supplementary benefit level; and what is his estimate of the national percentage living at or below supplementary benefit level.

Mr. Major I regret that information on the percentage of people living at or below the supplementary benefit level in individual constituencies is not available. In 1981 just: over 14 per cent. of the population of Great Britain lived in families where the head was either receiving supplementary benefit or where the income of the family was below the supplementary benefit level.