HC Deb 10 February 1989 vol 146 cc856-7W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the size of age-related personal allowances within(a) supplementary benefit, (b) income support and (c) housing benefit for each age-group for each year since 1980, both in current and standard prices.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Values under the old and new, benefit systems are not comparable because the system of personal allowances and premiums intruduced in 1988 radically altered the structure of the income-related benefits. The information requested is:

Pensioner (payable at age 65 for men, 60 for women)
Dependent child addition (under 16 or in full time education) Single £ Couple £
Rate 12.85 45.90 67.30
1988 value 14.95 53.39 78.29
November 1985
Rate 14.50 48.55 71.05
April 1988 value 15.99 53.55 78.37
July 1986
Rate 14.60 48.95 71.70
April 1988 value 15.84 53.11 77.79
April 1987
Rate 14.75 49.75 73.00
April 1988 value 15.33 51.70 75.86

Notes:

  1. 1. April 1988 value based on the movement in the general index of retail prices (all items) between the dates shown and April 1988.
  2. 2. Income support and housing benefit—rates as at April 1988 only shown.
  3. 3. Housing benefit—housing benefit scheme started in 1983.