§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the approximate cost of extending long-term scale rates of supplementary benefit to the unemployed aged 55 years and over.
§ Mr. DeakinsAbout £10 million in 1979–80, at 1978 survey prices, on the assumption that it was paid on the same basis as at present used for claimants under pension age who are not unemployed.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the difficulties experienced by the long-term unemployed over 55 years of age in getting jobs, he has any proposals for relieving them of the requirement to register for work and for transferring them to long-term scale rates of supplementary benefit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OrmeAs my hon. Friend will be aware from my replies to Questions on 10th January—[Vol. 941, c. 1416–18]—the problems of all the long-term unemployed on supplementary benefit are a matter of concern to the Government. We shall be considering carefully the question of paying the long-term rate of supplementary benefit to the unemployed in the context of the review of the supplementary benefit scheme—a report on which will be published soon—and in the light of the available resources.
423WIt is for the Supplementary Benefits Commission to decide whether to require supplementary beneficiaries to register for employment but I understand no changes are currently proposed.