HC Deb 11 May 1989 vol 152 cc491-2W
Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give for 1978, 1979 and 1988 for each sum will be more than the minimum 20 per cent. they have to pay; and for how many people this sum will be less than the minimum 20 per cent. they have to pay.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The amounts which have been included in income support levels from April to help meet the minimum 20 per cent. contribution to the community charge are £1.15 a week for single people aged 18 to 24, £1.30 a week for single people aged 25 or over, and £2.30 a week for couples. This was a once-and-for-all adjustment and future increases in the overall benefit levels will be made in the normal way.

It is not possible to provide estimates of the number of cases where the amounts included in income support will be higher or lower than the actual community charge levels in advance of these levels being set.