HC Deb 22 November 1979 vol 974 cc314-5W
Mr. Race

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will launch a major national advertising campaign to improve the take-up rate of child benefit increase, including (a) a leaflet to every child benefit claimant informing them of the availability of child benefit increase should they become a one-parent family and (b) advertising on commercial television.

Mrs. Chalker

Child benefit increase is publicised in a variety of ways with the co-operation of local authorities, voluntary organisations and health service staff. Additional measures, including some use of television and radio have been arranged and will be coming into operation in the New Year. My right hon. Friend and I will continue to keep under consideration what further action is practicable to improve take-up.

Mr. Race

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in the light of widespread confusion surrounding the name "child benefit increase", if he will consider changing the name to a term which describes the benefit more accurately, such as "one-parent child benefit".

Mrs. Chalker

Yes; if my right hon. Friend and I are satisfied that any suggested new name provides a more accurate description and is less confusing.

Mr. Race

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many prisoners' wives are currently not paid child benefit increase because their separation is not considered to be permanent; what would be the cost of extending child benefit increase to them; and what steps he is taking towards extending child benefit increase to this important group.

Mrs. Chalker

There are no figures available to show the number of prisoners' wives who are not receiving child benefit because their separation is not regarded as likely to be permanent. There are no plans to extend eligibility for child benefit increase to this group.

Mr. Race

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the take-up rate of child benefit increase among those one-parent families eligible for it; and how this compares with the take-up rates of other (a) non-means-tested benefits and (b) means-tested benefits.

Mrs. Chalker

The most recent estimate of take-up of child benefit increase among one-parent families who could gain from the increase is about 60 per cent. This is generally lower than for other non-means-tested benefits. Take-up varies among the different means-tested benefits but only in the case of free welfare foods is it well under 60 per cent.; in several cases it is substantially higher.