HC Deb 23 March 1995 vol 257 cc336-7W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what new proposals he has to increase earnings disregards.

Mr. Roger Evans

From April 1996 we propose that couples receiving income support or jobseeker's allowance should have the first £10 of their earnings in any week disregarded, rather than the current £5 each. From October 1996 we will also be introducing the back to work bonus, which will provide a lump sum payment of up to £1,000 to claimants with earnings above the disregard when they move off benefit into work.