§ 3. Mr. EdwardsHow many families are in receipt of family credit in (a) Monmouthshire and (b) Wales. [23054]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security (Mr. Keith Bradley)Figures for Monmouthshire are not available. The latest available figures for the Benefits Agency offices in Newport and Cwmbran reveal that there were approximately 4,000 families receiving family credit.
The latest figures for Wales show that there were approximately 43,000 families receiving family credit.
§ Mr. EdwardsDoes my hon. Friend agree that family credit is equivalent to the taxpayer subsidising bad employers, especially in Wales, the land of low pay? Does he further agree that the introduction of a national minimum wage will reduce expenditure on family credit and reduce the incidence of poverty pay, as well as the inequality between men and women in the labour market?
§ Mr. BradleyMy hon. Friend is absolutely right, which is why the Government's proposals on a national minimum wage are so welcome throughout the nation. I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to my hon. Friend for the immense amount of work that he did on behalf of low-paid workers before he entered the House. The national minimum wage will address that issue.
§ Mr. LetwinWill the Minister tell us whether the earned income tax credit, which we understand is to replace family credit, will be subject to an affluence test?
§ Madam SpeakerIn Wales?
§ Mr. LetwinIn Wales.
§ Mr. BradleyAs the hon. Gentleman will know, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced in his pre-Budget statement that the Government propose an integrated tax and benefits system, of which that is part. It would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage on his final plans.