§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total level of child benefit in each of the last five years; to how many persons benefit has been payable in each year; and if he will give the year-on-year increase in benefit in monetary and percentage terms.
§ Mr. NewtonThe information requested is as follows:
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(i) Total cost of child benefit:— Year Total cost £ million 1979–80 2,787 1980–81 2,944 1981–82 3,372 1982–83 3,659 1983–84* 3,968 * Estimated.
(ii) Number of families receiving benefit:— Based on a 4 per cent, sample Date Families million 31 December 1979 7.190 31 December 1980 7.174 31 December 1981 7.136 31 December 1982 7.045 25 October 1983* 6.881 * Latest date available: numbers reduced by school leavers.
(iii) Year-on-year increase in child benefit Uprating Dates Increase on previous benefit level £ per cent April 1979 1.00 *33.3 November 1980 0.75 18.8 November 1981 0.50 10.5 November 1982 0.60 11.4 November 1983 0.68 11.1 * At the same time, the final tranche of child tax allowances was removed.