§ Mr. HainTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the income that an average family in rented accommodation needs to be better off than with nobody in employment receiving(a) the jobseeker's allowance and (b) income support. [2816]
§ Mr. Roger EvansPeople in work on low incomes will usually be entitled to housing and council tax benefits to help ensure work is worthwhile.
A wide range of factors can affect a family's income in and out of work and it is difficult to illustrate the effect of these by using a single typical family as an example. A range of examples is provided in the published tax benefit model tables, April 1996, a copy of which is available in the Library. The April 1996 tables do not cover jobseeker's allowance, but the position will be the same for this purpose as for families receiving income support.