§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many successful claims were made for family credit since April 1992 by lone parents who are employed between 16 and 24 hours a week.
§ Mr. BurtBetween 7 April and 30 September 1992, the latest date for which information is available, about 35,000 family credit awards have been made to lone parents working between 16 and 24 hours a week.
§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents in receipt of income support in March 1992 became ineligible, following the changes to the definition of full-time work from 24 to 16 hours a week in April 1992; and what is this figure as a proportion of the total number of lone parents claiming income support.
§ Mr. BurtNo one who was working between 16 and 24 hours a week and receiving income support at the point of change has had that benefit withdrawn simply as a consequence of the change in the hours threshold. Many lone parents will be better off because of their decision to claim family credit. Those who chose not to claim family credit may remain on income support under special provisions giving them indefinite protection.