§ Mr. Crowtherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimated annual saving in family income supplement payments is expected to result from the wage settlements earlier this year affecting manual workers in the public services.
§ Mr. PrenticeI regret that the information requested is not available.
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§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people are claiming family income supplement at the latest available date.
§ Mr. PrenticeI regret that no information is available beyond that contained in my hon. Friend's reply on 23 May. [Vol. 967, c.129–30.]
§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the eligibility rates for the family income supplement as a percentage (a) gross and (b) net average earnings for a one, two and four child family for each year since the scheme's inception.
Number of children in the family Prescribed amount of gross income below which FIS is payable Maximum payment of FIS Present Proposed Present Proposed £ £ £ £ 1 … … … … 46.00 54.00 10.50 12.50 2 … … … … 50.00 58.50 11.50 13.50 3 … … … … 54.00 63.00 12.50 14.50 4 … … … … 58.00 67.50 13.50 15.50 The amounts shown above will apply to one and two-parent families. In addition, one-parent families—who account for half of FIS beneficiaries—will gain from the simultaneous 50p increase we are proposing for the child benefit premium. The increases will maintain the value of FIS. This uprating of FIS together with the Chancellor's Budget decisions on direct tax will increase work incentives for many poor families.
We shall be laying before Parliament draft Family Income Supplements (Computation) Regulations 1979 under which the proposed new rates would operate with effect from 13 November 1979.