§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the savings in respect of the proposed restriction on unemployment benefit (on the conditions stated in the Minister's reply to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury on 9th November), if it applied in the whole of the year 1976–77; and how much is attributable to earnings related and other benefits, respectively.
§ Mr. OrmeThere is no intention of applying the proposed restrictions on unemployment benefit during any part of 1976–77. However, it is estimated that the proposal would save £14 million during the first 12 months from its operative date. On the assumption that any restriction on unemployment benefit is applied first to any earnings-related supplement, it is estimated that £4 million of the saving is attributable to earnings-related supplement and that the remaining £10 million is attributable to flat-rate benefit.