HC Deb 12 November 1976 vol 919 cc309-10W
Mrs. Hayman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what changes

Size of family Net earnings (after deducting tax and National Insurance contributions

£

 Comparable current level of net earnings

£
Married couple with:
1 child aged 2 38.19 33.29
2 children aged 2 and 4 40.98 35.58
3 children aged 2, 4 and 8 43.83 37.83
4 children aged 2, 4, 8 and 11 47.68 40.93
5 children aged 2, 4, 8, 11 and 16 53.98 46.13

For parents in one-parent families claiming free milk and vitamins on grounds of low income, the amount of earnings which will be disregarded when calculating entitlement to free milk and vitamins will be increased from £4 to £6 from 15th November. The effect of this increase, in addition to those which I have described, will be to increase still further the income level at which one-parent families can get free milk and vitamins.

have been made in the income levels at which families with low incomes can receive free milk and vitamins for an expectant mother or pre-school children.

Mr. Deakins

Under the Welfare Food (Amendment No. 3) Order, 1976. which will come into operation on 15th November, the income level at which families can get free milk and vitamins will be raised. This will be done by increasing the tolerance margin which is used in calculating an applicant's requirements when entitlement to free milk and vitamins on grounds of low income is assessed. The tolerance margin, which is the amount added to the calculation of an applicant's requirements over and about the normal supplementary benefit level, will be raised by £1.50 to £2.50. The increase will come into effect simultaneously with the general up-rating of Social Security Benefits and the coming into operation of the Supplementary Benefits Bill.

Some examples of the levels of earnings, after deducting tax and National Insurance contributions, up to which families will qualify are given in the table below, together with the comparable current level of net earnings. The examples assume that only one parent is working, that the family pays rent and rates of £5 a week, after deducting any rebates, and that fares to work and other employment expenses amount to £1.75 a week.

Some examples of weekly expense which may be saved by families who get free milk and vitamins are:

  • Expectant mother, 68p.
  • 1 child aged under 1 year, up to £1.42.
  • 1 child aged 2, 68p.
  • 2 children aged 2 and 4, £1.35.