§ Mr. MacShaneTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total cash value of(a) the extra money paid to low-paid workers as a result of the introduction of the minimum wage in 1999–2000 and (b) the increase in child benefit in 1999–2000. [91226]
§ Mr. Milburn[holding answer 13 July 1999]: It is not possible to give a cash value for the extra money paid to low-paid workers as a result of the introduction of the minimum wage. However, the Low Pay Commission estimated in its first report that the average increase in income for those affected by the minimum wage would be 30 per cent.
The estimated total cash value of the increase in child benefit between 1998–99 and 1999–2000 is £0.9 billion.