§ 32. Mr. Ioan Evansasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the increases in social benefits since October 1973 and the new social benefits introduced since that date.
§ Mr. OrmeDetails of the increases in the main social security benefits for the period to November 1977 are set out in "Social Security Statistics 1976" which is available in the Library. The proposed increases in benefits for 1978 were given in my right hon. Friend's statement to the House on 12th April 1978, and, subject to the approval of both Houses of Parliament, will be introduced in the week beginning 13th November—except for mobility allowance, which goes up in July.
The new benefits which have been introduced since October 1973 are:
Non-contributory invalidity pension—from 20th November 1974 for men and single women; extended to married women from 17th November 1977.
Mobility allowance—from 1st January 1976—at the rate of £5, which was increased to £7 on 16th November 1977 378W and will be increased to £10 from 5th July 1978.
Invalid care allowance—from 5th July 1976—at the rate of £790, which was increased to £9.20 on 18th November 1976, to £10.50 on 17th November 1977 and will be increased to £11.70 from 16th November 1978.
Child interim benefit—replaced by child benefit increase from 5th April 1977 —from 6th April 1976.
Child benefit—which replaced family allowance—from 5th April 1977.