§ 15. Mr. Peter Archerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people received earnings-related unemployment benefit in the last convenient period for which figures are available.
§ Mr. DeanThe latest available details are taken from a sample analysis of the unemployed made on 6th November 1972. On that day 124,000 claimants were receiving earnings-related supplement to unemployment benefit.
§ Mr. ArcherDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that the value of the benefit is diminished by the requirement of a further 12 waiting days over and above the original six? Does he further agree that many people who would be helped by earnings-related benefit do not accumulate 18 waiting days in any period of 13 weeks?
§ Mr. DeanI understand the hon. and learned Gentleman's point. On the other hand, I think he will accept that the payments for that period were made only retrospectively and, therefore, were of no help to those in immediate need. They are still covered by the supplementary benefit arrangements.