§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give reasons for waiting until October 1996 to pilot his proposed scheme for extending family credit to childless couples and individuals.
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe timing of introduction of the proposed pilot scheme is dictated by the need to develop and consult on the evaluation methodology and the criteria for selecting pilot areas; to draw up detailed rules for the new benefit and develop supporting IT systems; and to allow time for the introduction of jobseeker's allowance in April 1996. An earlier introduction would be operationally difficult and would risk confusion between the effects of the new benefit and those of the jobseeker's allowance itself.