§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons in each of the last five years, who were not at work but whose income was slightly above supplementary benefit scale rate, received exceptional needs payments; and what authorisation there is for regarding receipt of supplementary benefit as a rigid precondition for entitlement to "essential clothing" from education welfare officers.
§ Mr. DeanI regret that information on exceptional needs payments to nonrecipients of supplementary benefit is not available. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science that decisions about entitlement to assistance with school clothing are entirely at the discretion of local education authorities.
£ million Suggested standard rates of benefit Gross cost of extra benefit Savings on supplementary benefit Tax yield on extra retirement pension* Retirement pension Other benefits Retirement pension Other benefits £10 (single) … … 825 375 170 40 95 £16 (married) … … £14 (single) … … 2,190 955 225 40 245 £21 (married) … … * Short-term benefits are not taxable. A precise estimate cannot be made of the tax that would be payable on the higher rate of widows benefit.