HC Deb 15 July 1968 vol 768 c157W
Mr. Worsley

asked the Minister of Social Security what proportion of the gross cost, and of the net cost, respectively, of the Family Allowance Scheme after the three-shilling increase in October, will go to families where the net family income is at, or below, supplementary benefit level.

Mrs. Hart

Since the number of families whose income will be at or below the supplementary benefit level for any period after October cannot be predicted, these proportions cannot be calculated, but of course they will get a much higher proportion of the net than of the gross cost.

Mr. Richard Wainwright

asked the Minister of Social Security what is the cost, estimated or actual, of family allowances in the year 1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68, and 1968–69, respectively.

Mr. Loughlin

Financial Year Cost of Family Allowances
£
1965–66 146,298,184
1966–67 149,219,626
1967–68 160,206,000*
1968–69 298,000,000†‡
* Provisional.
† Estimated.
‡ Includes about £147,000,000 for the 10s. increase, of which about £57,000,000 will be recovered from the reduction of the total tax allowances of the families concerned (in addition to about £28,000,000 from tax paid on the increases themselves).