§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much money is being saved by abolishing the earnings-related supplement on maternity allowance; and if he will give figures for 1981, when the supplement is to be reduced, and for 1982, when it is to be abolished.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe saving in the financial year 1981–82, which includes some effect from the abolition in January 1982, is estimated to be about £9 million; in 1982–83 the total saving will be about £38 million.
79W
§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much money is being saved in the current year through the maternity allowance having been increased by 5 per cent. less than the rate of inflation; and what the equivalent figure for savings would be if it is reduced by a further 5 per cent. in 1981.
§ Mrs. ChalkerAbout £2 million will be saved in the financial year 1981–81 by uprating maternity allowance from 24 November 1980 by 5 per cent. less than the rate of inflation; the saving in a full year is about £6 million.
The equivalent saving in 1981 for a further 5 per cent. reduction in November would be about £2 million; £7 million in a full year.