§ Lord VAIZEYasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the number of claimants who had the wage stop imposed on their (i) unemployment benefits and (ii) sickness benefit for each year since 1966.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLThe information requested is given in the following table: —
PERSONS IN RECEIPT OF SICKNESS/UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT AFFECTED BY THE BENEFIT CEILING(I) Year(2) Sickness Benefit(3) Unemployment Benefit 1967 — 1,900 1968 — 2,300 1969 — 1,500 1970 — 3,100 1971 15,000 2,900 1972 18,900 7,500 1973 33,300 6,400 1974 21,400 8,300 1975 35,400 33,100 1976 (4) 61,800 NOTES:
There is no "national insurance wage stop", but, if the total benefit due is more than 85 per cent, of the claimant's average weekly earnings, the earnings-related benefit is reduced or extinguished. Flat-rate benefit, even if over the 85 per cent., is not affected.
The statistics for unemployment benefit related to the position at one day in May of the year in question, and those for sickness benefit to one day in June.
Statistics showing sickness benefit recipients affected by the benefit ceiling were not collected prior to 1971.
Figures are not yet available.