§ Mr. Marksasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to empower his Department to take account of inflation over recent years in calculating allowances to be paid to long-term unemployed under wage-stop arrangements.
§ Mr. DeanNo. The application of the wage-stop is a matter for determination by the Supplementary Benefits Commission in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Ministry of Social Security Act 1966. In assessing a claimant's normal earnings for wage-stop purposes, the commission takes account of recent actual or estimated earnings in his employment or, if that is not practicable, of the earnings negotiated for labourers and light labourers by the National Joint Council for Local Authorities (Manual Workers). In either event, the practical effect is to take account of movements in wages in the employment which is relevant for wage-stop purposes.