§ Sir J. Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the total emoluments for an unemployed person, who is married with two children, taking into account the average allowances for rent and other cost of living expenses.
§ Mr. EnnalsAn unemployed man with a dependent wife and two dependent children would receive flat-rate unemployment benefit of £9 4s. a week for up to a year, plus 18s. a week family allowance. He would also be eligible during the first six months (after 12 "waiting" days) for an earnings-related supplement of up to £7 a week depending upon his previous earnings. Assuming constant earnings at the October 1968 average of £22 19s. 11d. a week throughout the 1968–69 tax year, the supplement would be £4 19s. a week.
The same person's weekly requirements under the supplementary benefits scheme would be about £12 18s. made up as follows: for a married couple £7 9s., two children (assuming one under five, one aged 5–10) £2 19s., plus an addition of £2 10s. (average) for rent. If his unemployment benefit, including any earnings-related supplement fell short of these requirements he would be entitled to receive the balance by way of supplementary allowance. The amount of supplementary allowance would, however, be restricted under the "wage-stop" rule if it would otherwise result in his receiving an income higher than when employed in his normal occupation.