HC Deb 30 April 1984 vol 59 cc62-4W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the relative financial position in and out of work for the following family groupings: (a) single person, (b) married couple, (c) married couple plus one child aged three years, (d) married couple plus two children aged four and six years, (e) married couple plus three children aged three, eight and 12 years and (f) married couple plus four children aged three, eight, 11 and 16 years, on the assumption that earnings or previous earnings are (i) £75, (ii) £85, (iii) £95, (iv) £105, (v) £115, (vi) £125, (vii) £135, (viii) £145, (ix) £155 and (x) £165, using the rates of benefit and new entitlement levels due to take effect on 21 November and showing the approximate weekly value of tax refunds when sick or unemployed, and assuming average levels of rent, rates and work expenses.

Mr. Newton

[pursuant to his reply, 16 January 1984, c. 137-142]: I regret that an error was made in the tables relating to unemployed persons not in receipt of supplementary benefit. The following figures should be substituted for those given in the respective tables in my earlier answer:

Unemployed: Flat-rate Unemployment Benefit Only
Unemployment Benefit£ Rent Rebate£ Rent Rebate£ Net Weekly Spending Power£
Table 1(B) 27.05 11.41 3.98 24.19
Table 2(B) 43.75 12.35 4.28 42.13
Unemployed: Flat-rate Unemployment Benefit, plus any continuing Entitlement to Family Income Supplement
Former Earnings£ Unemployment Benefit£ FIS£ Rent Rebate£ Rent Rebate£ Free School Meals£ Free Welfare Milk£ Net Weekly Spending Power£
Table 3(B) 85 43.90 0.30 13.75 5.19 — 1.47 50.61
115 and 165 43.90 — 13.75 5.21 — 1.47 50.33
Table 4(B) 85 44.05 5.00 14.75 5.29 2.50 1.47 64.46
115 and 165 44.05 — 14.75 5.45 2.50 1.47 59.62
Table 5(B) 85 44.20 9.80 14.75 5.33 5.00 1.47 78.45
115 and 165 44.20 — 14.75 5.45 5.00 1.47 68.77
Table 6(B) 85 44.35 14.50 14.75 5.37 7.50 1.47 92.34
115 and 165 44.35 — 14.75 5.45 7.50 1.47 77.92

I am sending my hon. Friend an amended copy of the tables. Revised copies are also being placed in the Library.