HL Deb 25 March 1993 vol 544 c500

7.18 p.m.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Lord Henley) rose to move, That the draft regulations laid before the House on 2nd March be approved [23rd Report from the Joint Committee].

The noble Lord said: My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper. In the uprating statement my right honourable friend announced that we would be introducing improvements in the benefit arrangements for orphans. This involved two separate measures. Guardian's allowance will be disregarded in the assessment of family credit, housing benefit, council tax benefit and disability working allowance, leading to an increase of up to £11.27 per week in the net income of recipients. That beneficial change has been dealt with in other regulations.

The second measure, the subject of the Motion today, is principally to ensure that a person bringing up an orphan alone can receive both guardian's allowance and one-parent benefit, increasing gross income by £6.05. At present only guardian's allowance is paid. From April, therefore, a person responsible for the care of an orphan who benefits from both these measures could find their net income increased by up to £16.41 a week. The regulations also make a minor change to clarify policy following a commissioner's decision. I commend the regulations to the House.

Moved, That the draft regulations laid before the House on 2nd March be approved [23rd Report from the Joint Committee].—(Lord Henley.)

Baroness Hollis of Heigham

My Lords, we on this side are happy to welcome and support the changes.

Earl Russell

My Lords, we should like to welcome the changes also.

Lord Henley

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness and the noble Earl for their welcome for the regulations, which I commend to the House.

On Question, Motion agreed to.