§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average sum of rent and rates taken into account in meeting claims for supplementary allowances from (a) lone parents, (b) two-parent families and (c) claimants under pension age without children.
§ Mrs. ChalkerAt November 1977 the average weekly net rent used in the assessment of supplementary benefit for these groups was:
£ (a) lone parents 8.15 (b) two-parent families 8.40 (c) claimants under pension age without children 7.10 Net rent is defined as the rent and rates payable after deducting any charges for amenities or income from sub-tenants but before any deduction is made for non-dependants. For owner-occupiers the net rent also includes mortgage interest—where appropriate—and an allowance towards repairs and insurance.