HC Deb 18 January 1990 vol 165 cc390-1W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the claimants affected by the introduction on 10 December of the new benefits rule on claimants earning more than £43 a week he estimates are(a) married/cohabiting women, (b) lone parents, (c) disabled, (d) men aged 50 to 54 years, (e) men aged 55 to 59 years, (f) women aged 50 to 54 years, (g) women aged 55 to 59 years, (h) claimants with intermittent work patterns due to chronic illness or disability and (i) claimants from ethnic minorities.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

I regret that this information is not available in the form requested.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what grounds he rejected the recommendations of the Social Security Advisory Committee which opposed the introduction of the new benefit rules for claimants earning more than £43 in a week.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The report of the Social Security Advisory Committee on the regulations which brought this measure into effect was presented to Parliament on 17 November 1989, prior to the regulations coming into force. The response of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State was published with the report (Cm. 923), which is available in the Library.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to raise the de minimis figure of £12 weekly, following his introduction on 10 December of the new benefit rule on claimants earning more than £43 a week.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The £12 de minimis level was first introduced on 10 December 1989. It is too early to assess its effects and we have no plans to raise the level at present.