§ Mr. GogginsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate for 1999–2000(a) the additional cost, (b) the additional income to parents with care and (c) the likely overall reduction in income support payments to parents with care if a £10 maintenance disregard is introduced in April 1999. [52537]
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§ Mr. DenhamThe additional cost of a £10 maintenance disregard for parents with care on Income Support would be £100 million in 1999–2000, or £80 million if the Child Maintenance Bonus were also to be abolished. The average gain to parents with care would be around £8.50 a week. There would be no reduction in Income Support payments, although maintenance in excess of £10 a week would continue to be taken into account as now.