§ 48. Mr. Henry Clarkasked the Minister of Social Security in what circumstances under her regulations an unemployed man received more money from National Insurance and supplementary benefit than he would be paid for working at the minimum agricultural wage.
§ Mr. PentlandThe amount of supplementary benefit paid is, if necessary, restricted by the wage stop so that his income is no greater than it would be if he were working in his normal occupation. Whether his combined income from unemployment and supplementary benefit is more than the minimum agricultural wage depends on the amount of his full requirements by supplementary benefit standards or, if the wage stop is applied, on the level of his normal earnings.
§ Mr. ClarkIs the hon. Gentleman aware that an increasing number of people receive more money when they are unemployed than when they are in 24 wage-earning employment? Is he further aware that the men in this position can hardly be blamed, since they have wives and families to support, but that the moral effect of this on people who are in employment is very serious indeed?
§ Mr. PentlandIt would be absolutely wrong to reduce the unemployment benefit, which is the implication of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question.