December saw 295,694 social security cases, down 0.1% on November. Cases involving the jobless also fell 1.7% to 45,231.

Director of Social Welfare Paul Tang said there is no need to seek additional funds from the Legislative Council Finance Committee if the downward trend continues.

According to the figures released today, cases relating to low earnings and single parent families grew 0.9% to 16,176 and 0.4% to 39,536.

When compared to the same period in 2003, the total number of social security cases rose 1.9%, while cases relating to low earnings and single parent families surged 19.5% and 6%. However, cases involving the jobless fell 9.8% over 2003, back to the April 2003 level.