§ Mr. Eyreasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, for the most convenient period of 12 months available, what were the number of self-employed persons paying national insurance contributions, the number of such people receiving national insurance sickness benefit and the total sum so paid; and for the same period what were the numbers of employed persons paying national insurance contributions, the number of such people receiving national insurance sickness benefit and the total sum so paid.
§ Mr. O'MalleyThe numbers of self-employed contributors and employed contributors in 1973–74 are given in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington. South and Finsbury (Mr. Cunningham) on 30th January.—[Vol. 885, c.291–2.]
On 2nd June 1973, the most recent date for which figures are available, there were about 20,000 self-employed persons and about 429,000 employed persons in receipt of sickness benefit. In 1973–74 it is estimted that self-employed persons received about £11 million in flat-rate sickness benefit and that employed persons received about £220 million. In addition, employed persons received about £75 million by way of earnings-related 243W supplement in return for their earnings-related contributions.