§ Mr. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the current weekly level of earnings disregard which is allowed for those in receipt of supplementary benefits for reasons other than unemployment; when it was last reviewed; and if he will estimate the real value of this figure compared with its value when it was last reviewed;
(2) what is the current weekly level of earnings disregard which is allowed for those who receive supplementary benefit because of unemployment; when the level was last reviewed; and if he will estimate the current real value of this figure compared with its value when it was last reviewed.
§ Mr. LyellThe level of the basic earnings disregard for those in receipt of supplementary benefit, whether or not because of unemployment, is £4 a week. The disregard is higher for lone parents; up to £12 a week of their part-time earnings can be disregarded—the first £4, and half of any balance up to £20. The basic disregard was revised in November 1975 and that for lone parents in November 1980. It is estimated that, revalued at current prices, the disregards would be worth £10.65 and up to £16.85, respectively.