HC Deb 23 June 1976 vol 913 cc558-9W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest estimate of the number of families whose total incomes: (a) before tax and national insurance and (b) after tax and national insurance, amounted to less than their supplementary benefit entitlement, including allowance for rent and rates.

Mr. Orme

Figures for the number of families whose total incomes, before tax and national insurance but including rent rebates and allowances and rate rebates, would have been less than supplementary benefit level are not available and could not be obtained without disproportionate effort.

The latest estimate of the number of families in Great Britain who are not in receipt of supplementary benefit and whose incomes are less than supplementary benefit level is 920,000. This figure includes 450,000 families, the head of which is over pensionable age.

This estimate, which relates to 1974, is derived from a Department of Health and Social Security analysis of the Family Expenditure Survey and is subject to sampling error.

Income is taken as gross income—including cash social security benefits—less tax, national insurance contributions, net housing costs and work expenses.

Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the net weekly income, assuming rent at £4.72 and rates at £1.90, and taking into account tax and national insurance together with any means-tested benefits to which there may be entitlement, of a married man with two children not over 11 years of age whose weekly earnings are £65.

Mr. Orme

The net weekly spending power of a married man with two children aged 4 and 6, with gross weekly earnings of £65 is £42.11.

It is assumed that rent is £4.72, rates are £1.90 and work expenses are £1.75.

Net weekly spending power is defined as gross earnings plus family allowances, family income supplement, rent and rate rebates, the value of free school meals and free welfare milk, minus tax, national insurance contributions, gross rent and rates and work expenses, as appropriate.