§ 78. Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the levels of unemployment benefit for those over 60 years of age.
§ Dr. BoysonYes. The same standard rate of unemployment benefit is paid to claimants of all ages below retirement age, while those of pension age (over 60 for a woman or 65 for a man) receive the same rate as would be their pension if they retired. Both rates have been increased in line with inflation since the Government came into power and they will be so increased again from November. In addition those over 60 who are entitled to supplementary benefit receive the long-term scale rate, as a result of changes brought in by this Government.