§ Mr. ClayTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people will lose without transitional protection under his proposals in "Children Come First"426W from the change in the definition of full-time work from 24 hours to 16 hours; and what the cost of transitional protection will be.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe majority of people receiving income support and working between 16 and 24 hours at the point of change will qualify for family credit and will be better off. We expect that some 25,000 people will be entitled to receive protection at an estimated cost of £25 million in the first year (1990–91 prices), decreasing thereafter.
§ Mr. ClayTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average number of days it takes to process a family credit claim for(a) all claimants, (b) employees and (c) the self-employed.
§ Mr. JackFor the 12 months ending 30 November 1990 the average was as follows:
Working days All claimants 18.45 Employees 17.01 Self-employed 26.90 A fast path arrangement is available to people who have just started work after being on unemployment benefit or income support, and which enables family credit to be put into payment very quickly.