§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement in respect of the operational policy of the Department of Social Security liable relatives unit and the child support unit when arranging child maintenance from liable parents. [41779]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellThere was no liable relative unit as such: liable relative work formed part of the operation of DSS local offices. The aim of liable relative sections in those offices was to ensure that people liable to maintain their spouse, child or sponsored immigrant did so to the best of their ability, where possible removing the need for income support. The child support unit had similar aims but relating to child maintenance only.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how much the combined value of child benefit and child dependency increases would have to be raised in April 1996, in cash and percentage terms to restore them to their November 1979 values relative to prices and average earnings for(a) war widows and (b) other widows. [41640]
§ Mr. MitchellThe information for values relative to prices is set out in the table.
837WThe same information for value relative to average earnings is not yet available.
War widows Cash rise Percentage rise Eldest qualifying child £10.60 43.4 Other children £11.35 48 Other widows Eldest qualifying child £7.50 37 Other children £8.25 42.3 Notes:
1. A higher rate of child benefit for the eldest child was introduced in April 1991. Prior to that date all children were paid at the same rate.
2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5p.
3. The retail prices index, all items, as published by the Central Statistical Office was used in the calculation.