HC Deb 26 October 1982 vol 29 cc883-4
12. Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many families are now receiving child benefit weekly and monthly; and how many families who were receiving it monthly have now been able to receive it weekly.

Mr. Newton

At 28 September 1982 child benefit was in payment to 6.94 million families, of whom 4.58 million or 65 per cent., were receiving payment weekly and 2.36 million, or 35 per cent., were receiving payment four-weekly.

About 249,000 families have switched from four-weekly to weekly payment, but about 242,000 of those switches occurred because the payees' options to remain on weekly payment did not reach the child benefit centre until after the first four-weekly order book had been issued. The other 7,000 switches to weekly payment were made on exemption or hardship grounds.

Mr. Bennett

Does the Minister agree that it was a particularly harsh cut for the Government to insist that new claimants for child benefit should receive it four weeks in arrears? Would is not be better to trust individuals to decide what is better for them rather than insist that they receive their benefit four weeks late?

Mr. Newton

I think that the balance of the policy is about right, following the changes made in response to representations in the House and elsewhere during the run-up period. It should be remembered that those on supplementary benefit or FIS who are lone parents or can show hardship continue to be able to have weekly payments.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Will my hon. Friend consider conducting a sample survey before the November deadline to see whether families on four-weekly benefit realise that they have a choice?

Mr. Newton

I am not sure that a further survey would be justified. [Interruption.] I got the impression that the Opposition were not so keen on reviews, surveys and working parties. I am concerned that we should make the system work as well as possible and that we draw people's attention to the options available. We are continuing to do that.

Mr. Rooker

Will the Minister confirm that the change is part of the Government's public expenditure cuts? Will he remind the House and the country how much less child benefit will go to mothers in this year of the changeover?

Mr. Newton

I cannot give that figure off the cuff, but I shall write to the hon. Gentleman. The change to try to streamline the administration of child benefit was, of course, part of an attempt to make some economies. I stick firmly to the belief that the less we spend on administering the social security system, the more we can spend on benefits.