§ 21. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the level of benefits paid to the long-term unemployed.
§ Mr. OrmeNational insurance unemployment benefit extends for 12 months. A person unemployed for longer than 12 months must rely on supplementary benefit, but this is never paid to the unemployed at the higher long-term rate. It is a high priority to improve benefits for the long-term unemployed, but such improvements are costly. It would cost £35 million a year at constant prices to extend the long-term rate of supplementary benefit to those on supplementary benefit for two years. Giving all people under pension age the long-term rate after one year would cost £85 million a year at constant prices.