HC Deb 17 April 1985 vol 77 cc210-1W
Sir Brandon Rhys Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish tables tabulating net spending power in April 1984 and April 1985 for a family with two children aged 12 and 14 years, paying £28.85 a week mortgage interest, £7.50 a week rates and £1.50 in water rates, in each of the following circumstances (a) husband earns £120 and mother earns £78, (b) husband unemployed, mother earns £78, (c) husband earns £120, wife unemployed and (d) both unemployed.

Mr. Whitney

The net weekly spending power for a family with two children in April 1984 and April 1985 would be as set out in the table. For April 1985 fares to work of £5.65 a week and free school meals value of £2.60 per child have been included. Other assumptions for April 1984 are as in the April 1984 DHSS tax-benefit model tables.

April 1984 April 1985
£ £
(a) Husband earns £120
wife earns £78 114.50 1179.8
(b) Husband unemployed
wife earns £78 *81.80 *85.25
(c) Husband earns £120
wife unemployed—in receipt of unemployment benefit 88.30 91.78
wife unemployed—in receipt of supplementary benefit 81.80 85.25

April 1984 April 1985
£ £
wife unemployed— not in receipt of either unemployment benefit or supplementary benefit 68. 11 70.83
(d) both unemployed 77.80 81.25
* If wife is in receipt of married persons's tax allowance.