Benefits (Hansard, 10 July 1978)

§ Mr. Rooker
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table similar to P11 of the Royal Commission report on lower incomes,

COMPARISON BETWEEN SCALE RATES OF SUPPLEMENTARY BENEFIT AND EARNINGS 1948 TO 1977

A. Scale rates of supplementary benefit for a married couple plus two children under age 5 as a percentage of gross and net average weekly earnings of full-time adult male manual workers:

Scale rate of benefit as percentage of gross/net earnings

Date at which scale rates of benefit were uprated Ordinary scale rate Long-term scale rate

Gross earnings Net earnings Gross earnings Net earnings

Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent.

July 1948 … … … 39.0 Not available — —

June 1950 … … … 39.0 43.9 — —

September 1951 … … 40.6 45.7 — —

June 1952 … … … 45.0 Not available — —

September 1954 … … 38.4 42.9 — —

July 1955 … … … 38.1 42.4 — —

January 1956 … … … 39.2 441 — —

January 1958 … … … 40.3 46.5 — —

April 1961 … … … 40.1 48.5 — —

September 1962 … … 40.5 49.4 — —

May 1963 … … … 42.4 51.0 — —

March 1965 … … … 44.7 56.9 — —

November 1966 … … 43.6 56.1 45.8 59.0

October 1967 … … … 43.8 57.6 45.9 60.4

October 1968 … … … 42.5 580 44.6 60.9

November 1969 … … 41.1 59.2 43.1 62.0

November 1970 … … 39.0 57.7 40.7 60.2

September 1971 … … 40.7 57.1 42.3 59.3

October 1972 … … … 39.3 54.4 41.0 56.6

October 1973 … … … 37.4 53.5 40.3 57.6

July 1974 … … … 38.2 56.1 43.8 64.3

April 1975 … … … 37.0 54.9 42.6 63.2

November 1975 … … 37.9 59.3 43.9 68.7

October 1976 (c) … … 34.3 52.8 39.8 61.2

November 1976 … … 39.5 60.9 45.4 70.1

October 1977 (c) (d) … … 36.2 54.5 41.7 62.8

November 1977 (d) … … 40.6 61.2 46.7 40.4

430W
giving details for households with two and four children drawing (a) the ordinary and (b) the long-term rates of benefit.

§ Mr. Orme
The information is given in the following tables:
431W

B. Scale rate of supplementary benefit for a married couple plus four children, two aged under 5 and two aged 5–10, as percentage of gross and net average weekly earnings of full-time adult male manual workers:

Scale rate of benefit as percentage of gross/net earnings

Date at which scale rates of benefit were uprated Ordinary scale rate Long-term scale rate

Gross earnings Net earnings Gross earnings Net earnings

Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent.

July 1948 … … … 48.3 Not available — —

June 1950 … … … 49.0 54.5 — —

September 1951 … … 51.1 56.8 — —

June 1952 … … … 56.8 Not available — —

September 1954 … … 47.5 52.2 — —

July 1955 … … … 47.5 52.3 — —

January 1956 … … … 49.0 54.3 — —

January 1958 … … … 49.6 55.6 — —

April 1961 … … … 49.8 57.3 — —

September 1962 … … 50.3 57.9 — —

May 1963 … … … 52.8 61.1 — —

March 1965 … … … 55.9 66.2 — —

November 1966 … … 54.5 65.3 56.6 67.8

October 1967 … … … 54.5 66.4 56.4 68.8

October 1968 … … … 51.5 66.8 53.5 69.3

November 1969 … … 50.0 68.3 51.8 70.8

November 1970 … … 48.0 68.1 49.6 70.4

September 1971 … … 50.2 65.8 51.7 67.8

October 1972 … … … 48.9 62.6 50.5 64.5

October 1973 … … … 46.8 62.1 49.6 65.7

July 1974 … … … 48.2 64.8 53.6 72.0

April 1975 … … … 46.1 63.4 51.4 70.7

November 1975 … … 47.5 68.2 53.2 76.5

October 1976 (c) … … 43.2 61.7 48.4 69.2

November 1976 … … 49.7 71.1 55.4 79.3

October 1977 (c) (rf) … … 45.7 64.5 51.0 71.9

November 1977 (d) … … 51.2 72.4 57.1 80.7

Notes:

(a) Net earnings for this purpose are taken as gross earnings plus family allowance/child benefit less income tax, national insurance contributions and average rent and rates.

(b) From July 1948 to November 1969 the average earnings relate to full-time manual workers—aged 21 and over—in manufacturing and some of the principal non-manufacturing industries in the United Kingdom taken from the inquiry conducted by the Department of Employment in October of each year. From November 1970 onwards the figures relate to the gross earnings of full-time male manual workers—aged 21 and over—in all industries and services in Great Britain when absence has not affected their pay. The estimate for April 1975 was obtained from the new earnings survey (NES). Estimates for other months are less reliable and were derived in interpolation between—or extrapolation from—NES estimates assuming that movements of the average earnings of full-time male manual workers were similar to the seasonally adjusted monthly index of average earnings published in the Department of Employment Gazette (table 127).

(c) Not dates at which scale rates of benefit were uprated.

(d) Provisional.

§ Mr. Rooker
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table similar to P6 of the Royal Com- 432W mission report on lower incomes, giving information for a four-child family.
433W

§ Mr. Orme
The information requested is given in the table below:

COMPARISON BETWEEN STANDARD RATE OF SICKNESS BENEFIT AND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT FOR A MARRIED COUPLE PLUS FOUR CHILDREN, PRICES AND GROSS EARNINGS: 1948 TO 1977

Comparison between increases in standard (higher) rate of national insurance sickness an unemployment benefit for a married couple plus four children, retail prices and average gross weekly earnings of a full-time adult male manual workers, 1948–1977:

Percentage increases

Since previous date Since July 1946

Dates at which standard (higher) rates of benefit for a married couple with jour children were changed and standard rate of (higher) benefit at date shown^*† Standard rate of benefit for a married couple plus 4 children Retail prices‡ Average gross weekly earnings of male manual workers§ Standard rate of benefit for a married couple plus 4 children Retail prices Average gross weekly earning [...] male manua workers

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

£ Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent.

July 1948 … … 2.475 — — — — — —

July 1952 … … 3.60 45.5 27.3 29.5 45.5 27.[...] 29.[...]

May 1955 … … 4.35 20.8 6.5 24.0 75.8 35.[...] 60.[...]

February 1958 … 5.80 33.3 12.7 15.7 134.3 52.[...] 85.8

April 1961 … … 6.925 19.4 5.3 19.1 179.8 60.9 121.[...]

March 1963 … … 8.25 19.1 7.5 6.9 233.3 73.0 136.[...]

January 1965 … … 9.80 18.8 5.6 15.1 296.0 82.8 172.[...]

October 1967 … … 10.85 10.7 9.3 15.3 338.4 99.8 214.[...]

November 1969 … 11.40 5.1 11.5 16.9 360.8 122.8 267.1

September 1971 … 14.20 24.6 16.5 22.8 473.7 159.6 350.8

October 1972 … … 16.40 15.5 8.5 16.7 562.6 181.6 425.[...]

October 1973 … … 18.20 11.0 9.9 14.2 635.4 209.4 500.[...]

July 1974 … … 21.80 19.8 13.5 12.9 780.8 251.1 [...]78.[...]

April 1975 … … 23.80 9.2 17.7 17.4 861.6 313.3 696.3

November 1975 … 27.50 15.5 11.7 10.7 1,011.0 361.6 781.4

November 1976 … 32.60 18.5 15.0 12.9 1,217.2 430.7 895.1

November 1977 … 36.30 11.3 13.0 9.7§ 1,366.7 499.9 991.[...]

^* Higher raie ot personal benefit.

† From April 1977 dependency rates have been adjusted to take account of the introudction [...] child benefit.

‡ Based on the general index of retail prices.

§ Based on average gross weekly earnings of full-time male manual workers in manufacturing industries and some of the principal non-manufacturing industries (as published by the Department [...] Employment).

║ Provisional.

COMPARISON BETWEEN SCALE RATES OF SUPPLEMENTARY BENEFIT AND EARNINGS 1948 TO 1977
A. Scale rates of supplementary benefit for a married couple plus two children under age 5 as a percentage of gross and net average weekly earnings of full-time adult male manual workers:
	Scale rate of benefit as percentage of gross/net earnings
Date at which scale rates of benefit were uprated	Ordinary scale rate	Long-term scale rate
	Gross earnings	Net earnings	Gross earnings	Net earnings
	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.
July 1948	…	…	…	39.0	Not available	—	—
June 1950	…	…	…	39.0	43.9	—	—
September 1951	…	…	40.6	45.7	—	—
June 1952	…	…	…	45.0	Not available	—	—
September 1954	…	…	38.4	42.9	—	—
July 1955	…	…	…	38.1	42.4	—	—
January 1956	…	…	…	39.2	441	—	—
January 1958	…	…	…	40.3	46.5	—	—
April 1961	…	…	…	40.1	48.5	—	—
September 1962	…	…	40.5	49.4	—	—
May 1963	…	…	…	42.4	51.0	—	—
March 1965	…	…	…	44.7	56.9	—	—
November 1966	…	…	43.6	56.1	45.8	59.0
October 1967	…	…	…	43.8	57.6	45.9	60.4
October 1968	…	…	…	42.5	580	44.6	60.9
November 1969	…	…	41.1	59.2	43.1	62.0
November 1970	…	…	39.0	57.7	40.7	60.2
September 1971	…	…	40.7	57.1	42.3	59.3
October 1972	…	…	…	39.3	54.4	41.0	56.6
October 1973	…	…	…	37.4	53.5	40.3	57.6
July 1974	…	…	…	38.2	56.1	43.8	64.3
April 1975	…	…	…	37.0	54.9	42.6	63.2
November 1975	…	…	37.9	59.3	43.9	68.7
October 1976 (c)	…	…	34.3	52.8	39.8	61.2
November 1976	…	…	39.5	60.9	45.4	70.1
October 1977 (c) (d)	…	…	36.2	54.5	41.7	62.8
November 1977 (d)	…	…	40.6	61.2	46.7	40.4

B. Scale rate of supplementary benefit for a married couple plus four children, two aged under 5 and two aged 5–10, as percentage of gross and net average weekly earnings of full-time adult male manual workers:
	Scale rate of benefit as percentage of gross/net earnings
Date at which scale rates of benefit were uprated	Ordinary scale rate	Long-term scale rate
	Gross earnings	Net earnings	Gross earnings	Net earnings
	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.
July 1948	…	…	…	48.3	Not available	—	—
June 1950	…	…	…	49.0	54.5	—	—
September 1951	…	…	51.1	56.8	—	—
June 1952	…	…	…	56.8	Not available	—	—
September 1954	…	…	47.5	52.2	—	—
July 1955	…	…	…	47.5	52.3	—	—
January 1956	…	…	…	49.0	54.3	—	—
January 1958	…	…	…	49.6	55.6	—	—
April 1961	…	…	…	49.8	57.3	—	—
September 1962	…	…	50.3	57.9	—	—
May 1963	…	…	…	52.8	61.1	—	—
March 1965	…	…	…	55.9	66.2	—	—
November 1966	…	…	54.5	65.3	56.6	67.8
October 1967	…	…	…	54.5	66.4	56.4	68.8
October 1968	…	…	…	51.5	66.8	53.5	69.3
November 1969	…	…	50.0	68.3	51.8	70.8
November 1970	…	…	48.0	68.1	49.6	70.4
September 1971	…	…	50.2	65.8	51.7	67.8
October 1972	…	…	…	48.9	62.6	50.5	64.5
October 1973	…	…	…	46.8	62.1	49.6	65.7
July 1974	…	…	…	48.2	64.8	53.6	72.0
April 1975	…	…	…	46.1	63.4	51.4	70.7
November 1975	…	…	47.5	68.2	53.2	76.5
October 1976 (c)	…	…	43.2	61.7	48.4	69.2
November 1976	…	…	49.7	71.1	55.4	79.3
October 1977 (c) (rf)	…	…	45.7	64.5	51.0	71.9
November 1977 (d)	…	…	51.2	72.4	57.1	80.7
Notes:
(a) Net earnings for this purpose are taken as gross earnings plus family allowance/child benefit less income tax, national insurance contributions and average rent and rates.
(b) From July 1948 to November 1969 the average earnings relate to full-time manual workers—aged 21 and over—in manufacturing and some of the principal non-manufacturing industries in the United Kingdom taken from the inquiry conducted by the Department of Employment in October of each year. From November 1970 onwards the figures relate to the gross earnings of full-time male manual workers—aged 21 and over—in all industries and services in Great Britain when absence has not affected their pay. The estimate for April 1975 was obtained from the new earnings survey (NES). Estimates for other months are less reliable and were derived in interpolation between—or extrapolation from—NES estimates assuming that movements of the average earnings of full-time male manual workers were similar to the seasonally adjusted monthly index of average earnings published in the Department of Employment Gazette (table 127).
(c) Not dates at which scale rates of benefit were uprated.
(d) Provisional.

COMPARISON BETWEEN STANDARD RATE OF SICKNESS BENEFIT AND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT FOR A MARRIED COUPLE PLUS FOUR CHILDREN, PRICES AND GROSS EARNINGS: 1948 TO 1977
Comparison between increases in standard (higher) rate of national insurance sickness an unemployment benefit for a married couple plus four children, retail prices and average gross weekly earnings of a full-time adult male manual workers, 1948–1977:
		Percentage increases
		Since previous date	Since July 1946
Dates at which standard (higher) rates of benefit for a married couple with jour children were changed and standard rate of (higher) benefit at date shown^*†	Standard rate of benefit for a married couple plus 4 children	Retail prices‡	Average gross weekly earnings of male manual workers§	Standard rate of benefit for a married couple plus 4 children	Retail prices	Average gross weekly earning [...] male manua workers
		(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)
	£	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.
July 1948	…	…	2.475	—	—	—	—	—	—
July 1952	…	…	3.60	45.5	27.3	29.5	45.5	27.[...]	29.[...]
May 1955	…	…	4.35	20.8	6.5	24.0	75.8	35.[...]	60.[...]
February 1958	…	5.80	33.3	12.7	15.7	134.3	52.[...]	85.8
April 1961	…	…	6.925	19.4	5.3	19.1	179.8	60.9	121.[...]
March 1963	…	…	8.25	19.1	7.5	6.9	233.3	73.0	136.[...]
January 1965	…	…	9.80	18.8	5.6	15.1	296.0	82.8	172.[...]
October 1967	…	…	10.85	10.7	9.3	15.3	338.4	99.8	214.[...]
November 1969	…	11.40	5.1	11.5	16.9	360.8	122.8	267.1
September 1971	…	14.20	24.6	16.5	22.8	473.7	159.6	350.8
October 1972	…	…	16.40	15.5	8.5	16.7	562.6	181.6	425.[...]
October 1973	…	…	18.20	11.0	9.9	14.2	635.4	209.4	500.[...]
July 1974	…	…	21.80	19.8	13.5	12.9	780.8	251.1	[...]78.[...]
April 1975	…	…	23.80	9.2	17.7	17.4	861.6	313.3	696.3
November 1975	…	27.50	15.5	11.7	10.7	1,011.0	361.6	781.4
November 1976	…	32.60	18.5	15.0	12.9	1,217.2	430.7	895.1
November 1977	…	36.30	11.3	13.0	9.7§	1,366.7	499.9	991.[...]
^* Higher raie ot personal benefit.
† From April 1977 dependency rates have been adjusted to take account of the introudction [...] child benefit.
‡ Based on the general index of retail prices.
§ Based on average gross weekly earnings of full-time male manual workers in manufacturing industries and some of the principal non-manufacturing industries (as published by the Department [...] Employment).
║ Provisional.