HC Deb 11 December 1974 vol 883 cc177-8W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will compare the total net weekly income of a man with a wife and two children under 11 years of age with a weekly wage of £30, with a man in similar circumstances who is unemployed and undergoing Government-sponsored training or retraining, assuming in each case that the previous year's earnings were at the same rate and allowing for all relevant tax payments or repayments and welfare benefits.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

For the purposes of calculating the information requested it has been assumed, as in other answers made to the hon. Member, that outgoings include, as well as tax and national insurance, rent of £5 a week, rates of £1.60 a week and expenses associated with travel to work of 65p a week. On this basis the figures of net weekly income are:—

a. Where in employment £23.98
b. Where unemployed and undergoing training £36.17