HC Deb 11 February 1965 vol 706 cc132-3W
Mr. Dean

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the cost of raising the standard National Assistance scales to £5 a week for a single householder and to £7 10s. for a married couple, with a corresponding increase in the special scale.

Mr. Pentland

On present numbers the cost in a full year of raising the scale rates of National Assistance to £5 a week for a single householder and to £7 10s. a week for a married couple is estimated at approximately £99,000,000.

This calculation, which includes corresponding increases in the special scale rates, is based on the rates of National Assistance that will be in force as from 29th March, 1965; on the current rates of National Assistance the cost would be approximately £159,000,000.

Mr. Dean

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the cost of raising the standard National Assistance scales to £6 a week for a single householder and £9 a week for a married couple, with a corresponding increase in the special scale.

Mr. Pentland

On present numbers, the cost in a full year of raising the scale rates of National Assistance to £6 a week for a single householder and to £9 a week for a married couple is estimated at approximately £191,000,000. This calculation, which includes corresponding increases in the special scale rates, is based on the rates of National Assistance that will be in force from 29th March, 1965: on the current rates of National Assistance the cost would be approximately £251,000,000.