HC Deb 16 December 1971 vol 828 c180W
Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will print in the OFFICIAL REPORT the value of a single person's supplementary benefit allowance as a percentage of average industrial earnings.

Mr. Dean

Expressed as a proportion of average weekly earnings of £28.05 for adult male manual workers in October, 1970 (the latest available date), the amount of normal supplementary benefit requirements (£5.80 exclusive of rent from September, 1971) of a single householder is 20.7 per cent. If the average rent of £2.19 met for a single unemployed householder receiving supplementary benefit is added, it is 28.5 per cent.