§ 24. Sir R. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to provide that in cases where a man has more than one source of earned income his entitlement to earnings related benefit shall be computed by reference to the income tax paid on his total earned income in the year previous, and not as at present by reference only to his income from one particular source.
§ Mr. DeanEntitlement to earnings-related supplement is already calculated on an employed person's total earnings, within the statutory limits, from all his employments, provided that the earnings in question are earnings from which income tax under Schedule E is deductible through P.AY.E.
§ Sir R. ThompsonIs my hon. Friend aware that there is great misunderstaning about this matter and that the present arrangements act very much to the disadvantage of people with more than one regular job, particularly in the printing trade, which may involve an extra day's work or an extra night's work once or twice a week? Is he further aware that a High Court judge has described the present administrative arrangements as unjust and purely for administrative convenience? Will he look at this matter again?
§ Mr. DeanI understand my hon. Friend's point but would point out that it is not feasible to take into account casual employment. Furthemore, earnings from casual employment do not qualify for graduated contributions.