§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will compare the net weekly spending power of a married farm worker with two children, paying rent of £5.60 and rates of £2.20 (a) when earning £39 per week and (b) when earning the proposed new agricultural minimum wage of £43, after taking into account income tax, national insurance and any welfare benefits to which he is entitled;
(2) if he will compare the net weekly spending power of a chef, married with two children, earning the Wages Council minimum and paying rent of £5.60 and rates of £2.20 (a) when earning £31.55 a week and (b) when earning the proposed new minimum wage of £35.55.
§ Mr. OrmeI have no information about the incomes of farm workers and chefs or about any proposals which may have been made with regard to their wages. The following information is based on standard assumptions about518W housing costs and work expenses which are not necessarily typical of, or applicable to any particular group of workers. It follows that no inference can be drawn about the appropriateness of the figures to farm workers or chefs.
Increase in earnings
- From £39 to £43
- From £31.55 to £35.55
Increase in net weekly spending power
- From £40.09 to £41.32
- From £39.43 to £41.70
Notes:
(a) Rent and rates have been assumed to be £5.60 and £2.20 a week respectively;
(b) work expenses have been assumed to be £2 a week;
(c) it has been assumed that family income supplement continues without review.