Supplementary Benefits (Hansard, 13 April 1970)

§ 4. Mr. Fortescue
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now take steps to increase the scale of supplementary benefits.

§ Mr. Ennals
My right hon. Friend has no statement to make on this matter.

§ Mr. Fortescue
In view of the expressed opinion of some of the hon. Gentleman's advisers that under Labour the poor have become relatively poorer, and in view of the present wage explosion, can the hon. Gentleman say whether it is the intention to see that those who live on benefits, and thus cannot strike for more pay, will be kept in line with those who can, and do?

§ Mr. Ennals
Let me first make it clear that I do not accept the view that the poor are getting relatively poorer. I remind the hon. Gentleman that since 1965 this Government have increased every year the level, first, of National Assistance and, second, of supplementary benefits. The Government are considering whether action needs to be taken this year.

§ Lord Balniel
Will the hon. Gentleman confirm that the cost of living has risen by 2 per cent. since last November alone? It is incontestable that the poor are getting poorer under the present arrangements. Will the hon. Gentleman therefore confirm that the date for increasing supplementary benefit will be brought forward, instead of waiting for the usual rise which will come next autumn?

§ Mr. Ennals
Those on supplementary benefits are very much better off than they were when the hon. Gentleman's Government were in power. In spite of increases in prices since November last, the value of the supplementary benefit, in real terms, is about 19 per cent. above what it was in 1964. I assure the hon. Gentleman that whatever the position may have been when his Government were in power, this Government will ensure that those who are poor are properly protected.

§ 15. Mr. Silvester
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the number of single women who are entitled to supplementary benefit who have not applied for it.

§ Mr. Ennals
None, Sir.

§ Mr. Silvester
Does the hon. Gentleman agree that this category of single women and deserted wives is the most likely to be uncertain of the facilities available and, therefore, perhaps needs special attention?

§ Mr. Ennals
We are most anxious that all those who are in difficulties should know of the availability of the services of the Supplementary Benefits Commission. It is true that when a survey was made in 1965 it was clear that a substantial number of single women were not claiming. Since the introduction of supplementary benefits and rate rebates, the number has probably decreased, but we are anxious to make the information available.