§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how the monthly rates of family allowance in Great Britain compare with those in each EEC country for the first and each subsequent child.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe following table shows the monthly rates of family allowances, or equivalent cash benefits, payable in each of the EEC member States as at 2 July 1979. The sterling equivalents have been obtained by applying the exchange rates current at that date. Family allowances comprise only part of the varying provision made by each country for the support of families with children. Moreover, a meaningful comparison of allowances cannot be made without taking into account the local cost of living, especially that affecting the maintenance of children, and other factors which vary from country to country, such as general wage levels, taxation and the extent to which other provision is made through free education, housing subsidies, medical care and ante and postnatal welfare and advice services. Fluctuating exchange rates also distort comparisons.
159W
Belgium (See Note 1) Denmark (See Note 2) France (See Note 3) Germany Republic of Ireland (See Note 4) Italy Luxembourg (See Note 5) Netherlands (See Note 6) United Kingdom (See Note 7) £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 1st child … … … … 24.59 14.94 — 12.98 3.50 6.22 19.96 19.61 17.33 2nd child … … … … 38.22 14.94 22.56 25.97 5.50 6.22 19.96 32.39 17.33 3rd child … … … … 52.32 14.94 40.21 51.93 5.50 6.22 51.33 32.64 17.33 4th child … … … … 53.37 14.94 36.37 51.93 5.50 6.22 51.33 40.22 17.33 5th child … … … … 53.75 14.94 34.33 51.93 5.50 6.22 51.33 40.22 17.33 6th child … … … … 53.75 14.94 34.33 51.93 5.50 6.22 51.33 44.36 17.33 7th child … … … … 53.75 14.94 34.33 51.93 5.50 6.22 51.33 44.36 17.33 8th child and each other child … 53.75 14.94 34.33 51.93 5.50 6.22 51.33 48.87 17.33 Notes:
1 Additional allowances of up to £13.13 are payable for each child aged 6 or over, according to age.
2. Higher rates are payable for children of pensioners or of single parents.
3. Additional family allowances of up to £15.69 are payable for each child other than the first if there are children aged 10 or over, according to age. A separate benefit, family supplement, may also be paid for families with three or more children, or for those with a child under 3 (even if it is the only child).
4. The Irish punt and pound sterling were coincidentally of equal value on the date of the exchange rate used.
5. Additional allowances of up to £6.48 are payable for each child aged 6 or over.
6. Double the allowance can be paid for a child who is a student, apprentice, or disabled person and who is substantially maintained by his parents. If born after 1 January 1979, the first child in a family qualifies for only half the normal rate until its third year.
7. An additional allowance of £8.67 is payable for the first child of a lone parent.