§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of the average duration of sickness for those in receipt of statutory sick pay(a) in total and (b) by region.
§ Mr. HagueThe estimated average number of statutory sick pay days paid in Great Britain in the period 1 April 1991 to 4 April 1992 is 15. This information is not available by region.
§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of the total number of firms defined as small for the purposes of special compensation for statutory sick pay(a) in total in the United Kingdom and (b) in each region.
§ Mr. HagueSubject to parliamentary approval, the existing threshold of small employers' relief will rise from900W week from part-time working and (c) working full time and earning (i) £60, (ii) £70, (iii) £80, (iv) £90, (v) £100, (vi) £110 and (vii) £120 per week.
§ Mr. BurtThe information is in the table.
£16,000 to £20,000 in 1994–95. We estimate that 750,000 employers in Great Britain will be eligible under the new definition. This information is not available by region. Figures for Northern Ireland are a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.