§ Mr. Newtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the saving to the National Insurance Fund of raising to six days the period before which a person may be eligible for sickness benefit.
§ Mr. DeakinsThe saving to the National Insurance Fund of extending the period of "waiting days" before which a person may be eligible for sickness benefit from three days to six days would be of the order of £50 million in 1977–78 at current rates of benefit, but as a consequence it is estimated that there would be additional expenditure on supplementary allowances of about £3 million.