HC Deb 11 May 1981 vol 4 cc190-1W
Mr. Freud

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report the levels of (a) tax-free income, (b) supplementary benefit level and (c) family income supplement for a married couple with two children under 11 years of age for November 1981 if indexation had been implemented and if benefits had been uprated fully in line with inflation.

Mr. Peter Rees

[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1981, c. 59]The figures are as follows:

November 1980 November 1981 on the assumptions stated
£ per week £ per week
Tax-free income 50.75 58.05
Supplementary benefit level 61.80 68.00
Family income supplement prescribed amount 74.00 81.40

It has been assumed that the retail prices index will increase by 10 per cent. between November 1980 and November 1981.

Tax-free income is equal to the married person's allowance—expressed at a weekly rate—plus child benefit. The November 1981 figure incorporates indexation of the married allowance in line with the provisions of section 24 of the Finance Act 1980 and a 10 per cent. increase in child benefit.

The supplementary benefit level includes average housing costs, which are also increased by 10 per cent. in the calculation for November 1981.

Family income supplement payable depends on earnings. The prescribed amount shown is the earnings level below which FIS is payable.