§ Mr. Formanasked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of previous earnings unemployment benefit represents for the average unemployed male; and what were the comparable figures for 1974, 1979 and 1983.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkInformation on the previous earnings of the unemployed is not available on a regular basis 509W However, a special study by the Department of Health and Social Security in autumn 1978—reported in Employment Gazette for August 1980, pages 830 to 832—indicated average usual gross weekly earnings of £70 for full-time men currently unemployed.
The rate of unemployment benefit varies with family circumstances, but for a man with an adult dependant and two dependent children the standard rate of unemployment benefit—excluding any supplementary allowances—in autumn 1978 was £28.20 or about 40 per cent. of average usual gross weekly earnings.