HC Deb 08 April 1975 vol 889 cc392-3W
Mr. Penhaligon

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of self-employed persons claimed sickness benefit in 1974; and what percentage of employed persons claimed the benefit, at the latest date for which figures are available.

Mr. O'Malley:

Information is not available in the precise form requested, but the following table compares days of sickness benefit and invalidity benefit, in proportion to the numbers of employed and self-employed persons at risk, in the statistical year 1972–73.

DAYS OF BENEFIT IN THE PERIOD 51TH JUNE 1972 TO 2ND JUNE 1973 EXPRESSED AS A RATE PER 100 PERSONS AT RISK
Sickness Benefit Invalidity Benefit
Males
Class 1 842 746
Class 2 455 597
Females
Class 1 742 591
Class 2 423 626
Males and Females
Class 1 818 709
Class 2 453 599
Class 1—Employed Persons.
Class 2—Self-employed Persons.

Mr. Penhaligon

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the cost of sickness benefits to self-employed persons and employed persons in the years 1970 to 1974; and, for each category, how much this represents per person per year.

Mr. O'Malley:

Class 1 contributions give entitlement to flat-rate benefit and earnings-related supplement while Class 2 contributions only give entitlement to flat-rate benefits. The estimated amounts of benefits on this basis are as follows:

Cost of benefits*m.)
year Employed persons Self-employed persons
1969–70 366 17
1970–71 357 17
1971–72 393 21
1972–73 463 24
1973–74 521 27
Average amount per person at risk
year Employed persons Self-employed persons
1969–70 20.10 11.50
1970–71 19.90 11.30
1971–72 22.10 13.60
1972–73 26.20 15.30
1973–74 29.50 17.40
* Including invalidity benefit from 23rd September 1971.
† Including earnings-related supplement.