§ Mr. Les Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of those below 65 years of age are affected by the £35 earnings rule, which reduces their benefits in accordance with their income; and whether he will publish details according to United Kingdom regions or the smallest available local administrative area.
§ Mr. RossiAn unemployment benefit claimant aged 60 or over who has a substantial occupational pension has his benefit abated by 10 pence for each 10 pence by which that pension exceeds £35 a week. At May 1982 there were some 12,500 claimants under age 65 in Great Britain whose unemployment benefit was either reduced or extinguished for this reason. In addition, there were some 297W 12,000 occupational pensioners who were not claiming benefit, which would have been extinguished, but were instead claiming credits only.
The information required to answer the second part of the question is not readily available, but I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.