§ Mr. Michael McGuireasked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much the original savings disregard sum of £800—Social Security Act 1966—would need to be increased to restore it to its 1966 value; and what the present savings disregard sum is.
§ Mrs. ChalkerFrom November 1966 until November 1975 capital up to £300 was wholly' disregarded for supplementary benefit purposes. This figure would need to be increased to £1,325 to restore its value. Above £300, an income of 5p a week was assumed for each £25 of 303W capital between £300 and £800 and an income of 12½p a week for each £25 over £800. Up to £1 of the assumed income—that is the amount assumed on £800—was disregarded if the claimant had no other disregarded income—apart from earnings. About £3,500 would be needed now to give the same value as £800 had in November 1966. From 24 November 1980 the system of assumed income has been abolished. Up to £2,000 of capital is wholly disregarded and a claimant with capital of more than £2,000 is not entitled to supplementary benefit.
Successive Governments have concentrated resources on improving the scale rates, which benefit all recipients, rather than improving the disregards, which benefit only the rather better-off.