§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many single parents are claiming income supplement; what is their current average earnings disregard; what is the present average level disregard in relation to fares to work; what is the present average disregard for meals; and how many single parents claiming family income supplement earn £5, £10, £15, £25, £30, £35, £40 and £45 per week, respectively.
§ Mr. WhitneyAt the end of March 1985, the latest date for which figures are available, 82,000 one-parent families were receiving family income supplement (FIS). There are no disregards for earnings, fares to work or meals within the FIS scheme. Statistics relating to earnings levels are kept within bands and on this basis the information, which includes the self-employed, is as follows:
Gross earnings range £ Numbers (to the nearest 1000) Nil-19.99 1,000 20.00–24.99 1,000 25.00–29.99 2,000 30.00–34.99 4,000 35.00–39.99 3,000 40.00–44.99 7,000 45.00–49.99 8,000 50.00 or more 56,000