HC Deb 30 November 1993 vol 233 cc432-46W
Mr. Leigh

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out details of the new rates of benefits proposed from April 1994 and the details of help to be made available to meet the cost of VAT on domestic fuel.

Mr. Lilley

The annual uprating of social security benefits will take place, as usual, in the first full week of the tax year—which in 1994 will be the week beginning 11 April.

Expenditure on social security will be £83 billion in 1994–95, £87.8 billion in 1995–96 and £91.7 billion in 1996–97. The settlement fulfils the Government's commitment to the needy, the sick, the elderly, to disabled people and to families. It gives the promised help to those who may have most difficulty in meeting the cost of VAT on domestic fuel.

I have reviewed social security benefits in accordance with section 150 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992. My proposals, which are set out in the schedule, fully reflect the commitment to increase all major benefits in line with inflation. The statutory instruments to implement them will be laid before both Houses for debate. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland proposes to introduce similar changes for Northern Ireland.

All national insurance benefits will be uprated at least in line with the annual increase in the retail prices index up to September, which this year is 1.8 per cent.

In addition, all pensioners who receive a full basic pension, including those receiving income support, will gain an extra 50p per week for single people and 70p per week for couples to help meet the cost of VAT on fuel. This help will double in April 1995 when VAT on fuel rises to the standard rate. Widows and people receiving invalidity benefit, invalid care allowance, severe disablement allowance, war pensions unemployability supplement and disabled people on income support will receive similar increases in both April 1994 and April 1995.

Income-related benefits are normally uprated by the Rossi index—RPI less certain housing costs—which this year increased by 3.5 per cent. in the year to September. In April 1994, however, extra help will be provided to people receiving income support by bringing forward by a year the effect of VAT on domestic fuel on the Rossi index. Next April their benefits will go up by a total of 3.9 per cent. This is more than the rate at which earnings are rising. These increases will feed through into other income-related benefits: family credit, disability working allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit.

Altogether, the total package of extra help through the social security system will be worth more than £1.5 billion over the next three years. More than 15 million people will gain. By paying the additional increase from April 1994, the Government have ensured that help will be available before payment is due on bills which include VAT.

The Government's success in keeping inflation low has maintained the value of benefits between upratings. This contrasts with the erosion of purchasing power between upratings during the high inflation of the 1970s. Since September, there has been a further welcome fall in the rate of inflation.

The main features of my uprating package are:

Retirement Pension

Retirement pension which is received by 10 million people will rise by £1.50 per week to £57.60 for a single person and by £2.30 to £92.10 for a couple. Not only does this mean a bigger rise next year but it builds in a permanent enhancement to the basic pension which will be uprated in future years.

Invalidity Benefit

Invalidity pension will increase by £1.50 to £57.60 per week for a single person and the basic rate of severe disablement allowance will rise from £33.70 to £34.80 per week.

Unemployment Benefit

Unemployment benefit for a single person will rise from £44.65 to £45.45 per week.

Child Benefit

Child benefit will be fully uprated in line with prices meaning £10.20 per week for the first or eldest eligible child and £8.25 for each subsequent child.

War Pensions

War pensions will be uprated fully in line with prices. Also, the special MOD payments to pre-1973 war widows, which are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, will rise in line with the RPI—from £47.84 to £48.70 per week.

Non-dependant Deductions

From next April, I propose to increase the level of non-dependant deductions to income-related benefits to £5, £9, £13 and £25 per week. At the same time, income thresholds and the thresholds for second adult rebates will be raised by up to £4 per week.

Residential Care and Nursing Home Limits

The limits for existing income support recipients living in residential care homes will be increased by £9 per week for the elderly and very dependent elderly, and by £7 per week for other groups. There will also be a £5 increase to the London extension for residential care homes. All nursing homes limits will be increased by £10. The residential allowance paid under community arrangements will be increased by £3 per week to £53 in London and £48 elsewhere.

Schedule of Main proposed Social Security Benefit rates from April 1994 (weekly rates unless otherwise shown)
Old Rates 1993 £ New Rates 1994 £
Attendance Allowance
higher rate 44.90 45.70
lower rate 30.00 30.55
Child Benefit
only, elder or eldest for whom child benefit is payable 10.00 10.20
each subsequent child 8.10 8.25
Child's Special Allowance
see note on Child Dependency Increase 10.95 11.00
Council Tax Benefit
Personal allowances single
18 to 24 34.80 36.15
25 or over 44.00 45.70
lone parent—18 or over 44.00 45.70
couple—one or both over 18 69.00 71.70
dependent children
under 11 15.05 15.65

Old Rates 1993 £ New Rates 1994 £
11 to 15 22.15 23.00
16 to 17 26.45 27.50
18 34.80 36.15
Premiums
family 9.65 10.05
lone parent 10.95 11.25
pensioner
single 17.30 18.25
couple 26.25 27.55
pensioner (enhanced)
single 19.30 20.35
couple 29.00 30.40
pensioner (higher)
single 23.55 24.70
couple 33.70 35.30
disability
single 18.45 19.45
couple 26.45 27.80
severe disability
single 33.70 34.30
couple (one qualifies) 33.70 34.30
couple (both qualify) 67.40 68.60
disabled child 18.45 19.45
carer 11.95 12.40
Allowance for personal expenses for claimants in hospital
higher rate 14.05 14.40
lower rate 11.20 11.50
Non-dependant deductions aged 18 or over and in remunerative work
gross income: £108 or more 2.00 2.30
gross income: up to £108 1.00 1.15
others, aged 18 or over 1.00 1.15

Old rates 1993 New rates 1994
Dependency increases
Adult Dependency Increases
For spouse or person looking after children, with; retirement pension on own insurance, invalidity pension, unemployability supplement and, if beneficiary over pension age, unemployment benefit 33.70 34.50
severe disablement allowance 20.15 20.70
invalid care allowance 20.15 20.65
sickness benefit if beneficiary over pension age 32.30 33.10
unemployment benefit 27.55 28.05
maternity allowance/sickness benefit 26.40 26.90
Child Dependency Increases, with; retirement pension, widows' benefit, invalidity benefit, invalid care allowance, severe disablement allowance, higher rate industrial death benefit, unemployability supplement and sickness/unemployment benefit if beneficiary over pension age 10.95 11.00

Note: The Overlapping Benefits Regulations provide for the rate of child dependency increases, guardian's allowance and child special allowance to be adjusted where the increase or allowance is payable for the eldest eligible child for whom Chb is also payable. The weekly rate of the increase or allowance is reduced by the differential (less the 75p derived from the October 1991 increase in Chb) between the rate of Chb payable for the oldest eligible child and that payable for a subsequent child. This gives a rate of £9.80 (1993) and £9.80 (1994).

Old Rates 1993 £ align="right">New Rates 1994 £
Alternative maximum Council Tax Benefit second adult on Income Support 25 per cent. of council tax
Second adult's gross income:
under £108.00 15 per cent. of council tax
£108 to £139.99 7.5 per cent. of council tax
Capital
upper limit7 16,000.00 16,000.00
amount disregarded 3,000.00 3,000.00
child's limit 3,000.00 3,000.00
Tariff income
£1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit
Earnings disregarded Where disability premium awarded 15.00 1.500
Various specified empolyments 15.00 15.00
lone parent 25.00 25.00
Where the claimant has a partner 10.00 10.00
single claimant 5.00 5.00
Where carer premium awarded 15.00 15.00
other income disregards
maintenance disregard 15.00 15.00
War disablement pension and war window's pension 10.00 10.00
Certain Voluntary and charitable payments 10.00 10.00
Student loan 10.00 10.00
Student's covenanted income 5.00 5.00
income from boarders:
disregard the fixed amount (20) plus 50 per cent. of the balance of the charge 20.00 20.00
Expenses for subtenants
furnished or unfurnished 4.00 4.00
Where heating is included, additional 8.60 8.60

Old rates 1993 £ New rates 1994 £
Disability living allowance
Care component
Highest 44.90 45.70
Middle 30.00 30.55
Lowest 11.95 12.15
Mobility component
Higher 31.40 31.95
Lower 11.95 12.150
Disability working allowance
Adult allowance
Single people 43.95 46.05
Couples/Lone parents 60.95 63.75
Child allowance
Under 11 10.75 11.20
11 to 15 17.85 18.55
16 to 17 22.20 23.05
18 31.00 32.20
Applicable amount (i.e taper threshold)
Single people 41.40 43.00
Couples/Lone parents 69.00 71.70
Capital
Upper limit 16,000.00 16,000.00
Amount disregarded 3,000.00 3,000.00
Child's limit 3,000.00 3,000.00
Tariff income
£1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit
Disregards
Maintenance disregard 15.00 15.00
War disablement pension and war widow's pension 10.00 10.00
Voluntary and charitable payments 10.00 10.00
Student loan 10.00 10.00
Student's covenanted income 5.00 5.00
Income from boarders: disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50 per cent. of the balance of the charge 20.00 20.00
Expenses for subtenants
Furnished or unfurnished 4.00 4.00
Where heating is included, additional 8.60 8.60

Old Rates 1993 £ New Rates 1994 £
Earnings Rules
Invalid Care Allowance 50.00 50.00
Unemployment Benefit (daily rate) 2.00 2.00
Unemployment Benefit (maximum weekly amount 56.00 57.00
Therapeutic earnings limit 42.00 43.00
Industrial injuries unemployability supplement permitter earnings level(annual amount) 2,184.00 2,236.00
War pensioners unemployability supplement permitted earnings level (annual amount) 2,184.00 2,236.00
Adult dependency increases with sickness benefit where claimant is
(a) under pension age 26.40 26.90
(b) over pension age 32.30 33.10
maternity allowance 26.40 26.90
unemployment bebefit where claimant is
(a) under pension age 27.55 28.05
(b) over pension age 33.70 34.50
retirement pesion, invalidity
pension, severe disablement
allowance, unemployability
supplement where dependent
(a) is living with claimant 44.65 45.45

Old Rates 1993 £ New Rates 1994 £
(b) still qualifies for the tapered earnings rule 45.09 45.09
retirement pension, invalidity
benefit and unemployability
supplement where dependant
not living with claimant 33.70 34.50
severe disablement allowance where dependant not living with claimant 20.15 20.70
invalid care allowance 20.15 20.65
Child dependency increases level at which CDIs are affected by earnings of claimant's spouse or partner
for first child 120.00 120.00
for each subsequent child 16.00 16.00
Family credit
Adult credit 42.50 44.30
Child credit
under 11 10.75 11.20
11 to 15 17.85 18.55
16 to 17 22.20 23.05
18 31.00 32.20
Applicable amount (ie taper threshold) 69.00 71.70
Capital
upper limit 8,000.00 8,000.00
amount disregarded 3,000.00 3,000.00
child's limit 3,000.00 3,000.00
Tariff income
£1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit
Disregards
maintenance disregard 15.00 15.00
war disablement pension and war widow's pension 10.00 10.00
voluntary and charitable payments 10.00 10.00
student loan 10.00 10.00
student's covenanted income 5.00 5.00
income from boarders:
disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50 per cent. of the balance of the charge 20.00 20.00
Expenses for subtenants
furnished or unfurnished 4.00 4.00
where heating is included, additional 8.60 8.60
Guardian's Allowance
see note on Child Dependency Increase 10.95 11.00
Hospital Downrating
20 per cent. rate 11.20 11.50
40 per cent. rate 22.40 23.00

align="right">Old Rates 1993 £ New Rates 1994 £
Housing Benefit
Personal allowances
single
16 to 24 34.80 36.15
25 or over 44.00 45.70
lone parent
under 18 34.80 36.15
18 or over 44.00 45.70
couple
both under 18 52.40 54.55
one or both over 18 69.00 71.70
dependent children
under 11 15.05 15.65

Old rates 1993 £ New rates 1994 £
11 to 15 22.15 23.00
16 to 17 26.45 27.50
18 34.80 36.15
Premiums
family 9.65 10.05
lone parent 10.95 11.25
pensioner
single 17.30 18.25
couple 26.25 27.55
pensioner (enhanced)
single 19.30 20.35
couple 29.00 30.40
pensioner (higher)
single 23.55 24.70
couple 33.70 35.30
disability
single 18.45 19.45
couple 26.45 27.80
severe disability
single 33.70 34.30
couple (one qualifies) 33.70 34.30
couple (both qualify) 67.40 68.60
disabled child 18.45 19.45
carer 11.95 12.40
Allowance for personal expenses for claimants in hospital
higher rate 14.05 14.40
lower rate 11.20 11.50
Non-dependant deductions rent rebates and allowances
aged 25 and over, in receipt of
Income Support aged 18 or over, not
in remunerative work or gross income under £72 4.00 5.00
aged 18 or over and in remunerative work:
gross income: £72 to £107.99 8.00 9.00
gross income: £108 to £138.99 12.00 13.00
gross income: £139 or more 21.00 25.00
Service charges for fuel
heating 8.60 8.60
hot water 1.05 1.05
lighting 0.70 0.70
cooking 1.05 1.05
Amount ineligible for meals three or more meals a day single claimant 15.75 16.30
each person in family aged 16 or over 15.75 16.30
each child under 16 7.95 8.25
less than three meals a day single claimant 10.45 10.80
each person in family aged 16 or over 10.45 10.80
each child under 16 5.25 5.45
breakfast only—claimant and each member of family 1.90 95
Capital
upper limit 16,000.00 16,000.00
amount disregarded 3,000.00 3,000.00
child's limit 3,000.00 3,000.00
Tariff income
£1 for every complete £250 or part

Old rates 1993 £ New rates 1994 £
thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit
Earnings disregards
where disability premium awarded 15.00 15.00
various specified employments 15.00 15.00
lone parent 25.00 25.00
where the claimant has a partner 10.00 10.00
single claimant 5.00 5.00
where carer premium awarded 15.00 15.00
Other income disregards
maintenance disregard 15.00 15.00
war disablement pension and war widow's pension 10.00 10.00
certain voluntary and charitable payments 10.00 10.00
student loan 10.00 10.00
student's covenanted income 5.00 5.00
income from boarders:
disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50 per cent. of the balance of the charge 20.00 20.00
Expenses for subtenants
furnished or unfurnished 4.00 4.00
where heating is included, additional 8.60 8.60

Old rates 1993 £ New rates 1994 £
Income Support
Personal allowances
single
under 18—usual rate 26.45 27.50
under 18—higher rate payable in specific circumstances 34.80 36.15
18 to 24 34.80 36.15
25 or over 44.00 45.70
lone parent
under 18—usual rate 26.45 27.50
under 18—higher rate payable in specific circumstances 34.80 36.15
18 or over 44.00 45.70
couple
both under 18 52.40 54.55
one or both 18 or over 69.00 71.70
dependent children
under 11 15.05 15 .65
11 to 15 22.15 23.00
16 to 17 26.45 27.50
18 34.80 36.15
Residential Allowance except Greater London 45.00 48.00
Greater London 50.00 53.00
Premiums
family 9.65 10.05
lone parent 4.90 5.10
pensioner
single 17.30 18.25
couple 26.25 27.55
pensioner (enhanced)
single 19.30 20.35
couple 29.00 30.40
pensioner (higher)
single 23.55 24.70
couple 33.70 35.30

Old rates 1993 £ New rates 1994 £
disability
single 18.45 19.45
couple 26.45 27.80
severe disability
single 33.70 34.30
couple (one qualifies) 33.70 34.30
couple (both qualify) 67.40 68.60
disabled child 18.45 19.45
carer 11.95 12.40
Maximum amounts for accommodation and meals in residential care homes
old age 185.00 194.00
very dependent elderly 215.00 224.00
mental disorder (not handicap) 195.00 202.00
drug/alcohol dependence 195.00 202.00
mental handicap 225.00 232.00
physical disablement
(a) (under pension age) 255.00 262.00
(b) (over pension age) 185.00 194.00
others 185.00 30.00
maximum Greater London increase 25.0 30.00
nursing homes
mental disorder (not handicap) 280.00 290.00
drug-alcohol dependence 280.00 290.00
mental handicap 285.00 295.00
terminal illness 280.00 290.00
physical disablement
(a) (under pension age) 315.00 325.00
(b) (over pension age) 280.00 290.00
others (including elderly) 280.00 290.00
maximum Greater London increase 35.00 35.00
Amounts for meals where these cannot be purchased within the accommodation (Daily Rate)
breakfast 1.10 1.10
midday meal 1.55 1.55
evening meal 1.55 1.55
Allowances for personal expenses for claimants in
private and voluntary residential care
and nursing homes
personal expenses 12.65 13.10
dependent children
(a) under 11 5.20 5.
(b) 11 to 15 7.60 7.85
(c) 16 to 17 8.80 9.10
(d) age 18 12.65 13.10
hospital
higher rate 14.05 14.40
lower rate 11.20 11.50
local authority (Part III) accommodation 12.65 13.10
the Polish home Ilford Park max amount for accommodation and meals 280.00 290.00
personal expenses for claimant 16.75 17.35
personal expenses for partner 16.75 17.35
personal expenses for dependant children (a) under 11 5.20 5.40
(b) 11 to 15 7.60 7.85
(c) 16 to 17 8.80 9.10
(d) 18 15.00 15.55
Housing costs
deduction for non-dependants
aged 25 and over, in receipt of Income Support aged 18 or over, not in remunerative work or gross income under £72 4.00 5.00

Old Rates 1993£: New Rates 1994 £
aged 18 or over and in remunerative work:
gross income:£72 to £107.99 8.00 9.00
gross income:£108 to £138.99 12.00 13.00
gross income:£139 or more 21.00 25.00
Deduction for direct payments arrears or housing, fuel and water costs council tax and fines default, and deductions for child maintenance 2.20 2.30
Arrears of Community Charge
court order against claimant 2.20 2.30
court order against couple 3.45 3.60
Maximum rates for recovery of overpayments ordinary overpayments 6.60 6.90
Where claimant convicted of fraud 8.80 9.20
Reduction in benefit for strikers 23.50 24.50
Capital
upper limit 8,000.00 8,000.00
amount disregarded 3,000.00 3,000.00
child's limit 3,000.00 3,000.00
Tariff income
£ for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit
Disregards
standard earnings 5.00 5.00
higher earnings 15.00 15.00
war disablement pension and war widow's pension 10.00 10.00
voluntary and charitable payments 10.00 10.00
student loan 10.00 10.00
student's covenated income 5.00 5.00
income form boarders:
disregard the fixed amount(£20) plus 50 per cent. of the balance of the carge 20.00 20.00
Expenses for subtenants
furnished or unfurnished 4.00 4.00
where heating is included, additional 8.60 8.60

Old Rates 1993 £ New Rates 1994 £
Industrial Death Benefit
Widow's pension
higher rate 56.10 57.60
lower rate 16.83 17.28
Industrial Disablement pension
18 and over, or under 18 with dependants
100 per cent. 91.60 93.20
90 per cent. 82.44 83.88
80 per cent. 73.28 74.56
70 per cent. 64.12 65.24
60 per cent. 54.96 55.92
50 per cent. 45.80 46.60
40 per cent. 36.64 37.28
30 per cent. 27.48 27.96
20 per cent. 18.32 18.64
Under 18
100 per cent. 56.10 57.10
90 per cent. 50.49 51.39
80 per cent. 44.88 45.68
70 per cent. 39.27 39.97
60 per cent. 33.66 34.26

Old Rates 1993 £ New Rates 1994 £
50 per cent. 28.05 28.55
40 per cent. 22.44 22.84
30 per cent. 16.83 17.13
20 per cent. 11.22 11.42
Maximum life gratuity (lump sum) 6,080.00 6,190.00
Unemployability Supplement 56.10 57.60
plus where appropriate an increase for early incapacity
higher rate 11.95 12.15
middle rate 7.50 7.60
lower rate 3.75 3.80
Maximum reduced earnings allowance 36.64 37.28
Maximum retirement allowance 9.16 9.32
Constant attendance allowance
exceptional rate 73.40 74.80
intermediate rate 55.05 56.10
normal maximum rate 36.70 37.40
part-time rate 18.35 18.70
Exceptionally severe disablement allowance 36.70 37.40
Invalid Care Allowance 33.70 34.50
Invalidity Benefit
Invalidity pension 56.10 57.60
Invalidity allowance
higher rate 11.95 12.15
middle rate 7.50 7.60
lower rate 3.75 3.80
Maternity Allowance 43.75 44.55
One-parent Benefit 6.05 6.15
Pneumoconiosis, Byssinosis, Workmen's Compensation (Supplementation) and other schemes
Total disablement allowance and major incapacity allowance (maximum) 91.60 93.20
Partial disablement allowance 33.70 34.50
Unemployability supplement 56.10 57.60
plus where appropriate increases for erly incapacity
higher rate 11.95 12.15
middle rate 7.50 7.60
lower rate 3.75 3.80
Constant attendance allowance
exceptional rate 73.40 74.80
intermediate rate 55.05 56.10
normal maximum rate 36.70 37.40
part-time rate 18.35 18.70
Exceptionally severe disablement
allowance 36.70 34.50
maximum rate of allowance 33.70 34.50
based on loss of earnings over 44.90 45.70

Old Rates 1993 £ New Rates 1994 £
Retirement Pensionl
Category A or B 56.10 57.60
Category B (lower)—husband's insurance 33.70 34.50
Category C or D—non-contributory 33.70 34.50

Old Rates 1993 £ New Rates 1994 £
Category C (lower)— non-contributory 20.15 20.65
Additional pension Increase by 1.8 per cent.
Increments to basic and additional pension, contracted out deductions (from pre-April 1988 earnings) and graduatedretirement benefit Increase by 1.8 per cent.
Contracted out deductions(CODs) and increments scheme to CODs (from post-April 1988 earnings) 1.8 per cent.paid by
Gdaduated retirement benefit (unit) (pence) 7.35 7.48
Addition at age 80 0.25 0.25
Severe Disablement Allowance
Basic rate 33.70 34.80
Age-related addition
Higher rate 11.95 12.15
Middle rate 7.50 7.60
Lower rate 3.75 3.80
Sickness Benefit
Over pension age 53.80 55.25
Under pension age 42.70 43.45
Social fund
Maternity payment 100.00 100.00
Cold Weather Payments 6.00 7.00
Capital limit
aged under 60 500.00 500.00
ages 60 and over 1,000.00 1,000.00
Statutory Maternity Pay
lower rate 47.95 48.80
Statutory Sick Pay
Lower rate 46.95 47.80
Standard rate 52.50 52.50
Unemployment Benefit
Over pension age 56.10 57.60
Under pension age 44.65 45.45
Occupational pension abatement 35.00 35.00

Old Rates 1993 £ New rates 1994 £
War Pensions
Disablement pension (100 per cent. rates)
privare or equivalent 97.20 98.90
officer (£ per annum maximum 5,072.00 5,161.00
Age allowances
40 per cent. to 50 per cent. 6.50 6.60
over 50 per cent. but not over 70 per cent. 10.00 10.20
over 70 per cent. nut not over 90 per cent. 14.30 14.55
over 90 per cent. 20.00 20.40
Disablement gratuity (base figures for calculation purposes only)
specified minor injury 6,080.00 6,190.00
unspecified minor injury 3,344.00 3,404.50
Unemployability allowance
personal 59.55 61.10
adult dependency increase 33.70 34.50
(a) increase for first child 9.80 9.80
(b) increase for subsequent children 10.95 11.00
Invalidity allowance
higher rate 11.95 12.15
middle rate 7.50 7.60
lower rate 3.75 3.80

Old rates 1993 £ New rates 1994 £
Constant attendance allowance
exceptional rate 73.40 74.0
intermediate rate 55.05 56.10
normal maximum rate 36.70 37.40
part-time rate 18.35 18.70
Comforts allowance
higher rate 15.70 16.00
lower rate 7.85 8.00
Mobility supplement 34.90 35.55
Allowance for lowered standard of
occupation (maximum) 36.64 37.28
Exceptionally severe disablement
allowance 36.70 37.40
Severe disablement occupational allowance 18.35 18.70
Clothing allowance (£ per annum)
higher rate 124.00 126.00
lower rate 79.00 80.00
Education allowance (£ per annum)
(maximum) 120.00 120.00
War widow's pension
Widow (private) 72.90 74.70
Childless widow under 40 (private) 16.83 17.28
Childless widow under 40 (other ranks) 17.08 17.54
Widow-Officer (£ per annum) maximum 4,514.00 4,621.00
Age allowance
(a) age 65 to 69 8.35 8.50
(b) age 70 to 79 16.10 16.40
(c) age 80 and over 23.95 24.40
Children's allowance
(a) Increase for first child (adjusted for ChB increase) 13.85 13.90
(b) increase for subsequent children 15.00 15.10
Orphan's pension
(a) Increase for first child (adjusted for ChB increase) 15.45 15.50
(b) Increase for subsequent children 16.60 16.70
Unmarried dependant living as spouse (maximum) 70.85 72.65
Rent allowance (maximum) 27.75 28.25
Adult orphan's pension (maximum) 56.10 57.60
Widower's pension
(i) Private or equivalent 72.90 74.70
(ii) Officer (£ per annum) maximum 4,514.00 4,621.00

Old Rates 1993 £ New Rates 1994 £
Widow's Benefit
Widow's payment (lump sum) 1,000.00 1,000.00
Widowed mother's allowance 56.10 57.60
Widow's pension
standard rate 56.10 57.60

Old Rates 1993 £ New Rates 1994 £
age-related
age 54 (49) 52.17 53.57
53 (48) 48.25 49.54
52 (47) 44.32 45.50
51 (46) 40.39 41.47
50 (45) 36.47 37.44
49 (44) 32.54 33.41
48 (43) 28.61 29.38
47 (42) 24.68 25.34
46 (41) 20.76 21.31
45 (40) 16.83 17.28

Note: For deaths occurring before 11 April 1988 refer to age points shown in brackets.