HC Deb 30 July 1974 vol 878 cc177-8W
Mr. Kenneth Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what figure the £2 earnings disregard of supplementary benefits would have to be raised to now to restore it to the purchasing value that it had when introduced in November 1966.

Mr. O'Malley

As at mid-June 1974, £3.51.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of average weekly earnings of male industrial workers the £2 earnings disregard for supplementary benefit represented when it was introduced in November 1966; and what it represents now.

Mr. O'Malley

In November 1966, £2 represented 9.9 per cent. of the average weekly earnings of adult male manual workers. The corresponding figure in May 1974 is estimated to be 4.6 per cent.

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