HC Deb 26 March 1974 vol 871 c259
10. Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if it will be her policy to increase the levels of entitlement to supplementary benefit in line with increases in the retirement pension.

Mr. O'Malley

In the present circumstances, the Government believe it is right that the main supplementary benefit scale rates should go up by the same amount as the corresponding national insurance rates.

Mr. Taylor

I thank the Minister for that reply. For the avoidance of doubt, can he assure me that a retirement pensioner on the basic pension who also receives supplementary benefit will get a net increase of £2.25, the same as normal retirement pensioners?

Mr. O'Malley

I can give the hon. Gentleman that assurance.

Mr. Douglas-Mann

One welcomes what my hon. Friend has said. Will he bear in mind that one of the ways in which a great deal of hardship can be alleviated without great expense to the Exchequer is by increasing the discretion to pay exceptional needs allowances and grants not only to those in receipt of supplementary benefit but to those living close to the supplementary benefit level? Will he consider the advice given to managers of the Department's offices so that they can exercise their discretion more freely?

Mr. O'Malley

The incoming Government and, of course, the Supplementary Benefits Commission are already reviewing a wide range of matters, including the one my hon. Friend has raised.