§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will update in line with benefit changes due to take effect next November the reply given to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North on 4 December 1978, Official Report, column 494, showing the net weekly spending power of a lone mother at different levels of earnings, and when unemployed, on long-term as well as on ordinary supplementary benefit rates, on the assumption that when working she is contracted in to the State pension scheme, and has work expenses, including child-minding costs of £12 a week;
(2) if he will bring up to date in line with benefit changes due to take effect next November the reply given to the hon. 497W Member for Norfolk, North, Official Report, 4 December 1978, column 494, on the previous assumptions but assuming that work expenses for a lone parent are now £12 a week.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe following tables provide the information requested, table
TABLE 1 NET WEEKLY SPENDING POWER (£) OF A SINGLE MOTHER WITH TWO CHILDREN AGED 4 AND 6; RECEIVING SUPPLEMENTARY ALLOWANCE (SHORT TERM) AND EARNING £6 A WEEK Supplementary allowance Child benefit Net earnings Rent rebate Rates rebate Free school meals Free welfare milk Net weekly spending power 29.50 10.50 6.00 6.50 2.80 1.50 1.05 39.25
TABLE 2 NET WEEKLY SPENDING POWER (£) OF A SINGLE MOTHER WITH TWO CHILDREN AGED 4 AND 6; RECEIVING SUPPLEMENTARY ALLOWANCE (LONG TERM) AND EARNING £6 A WEEK Supplementary allowance Child benefit Net earnings Rent rebate Rates rebate Free school meals Free welfare milk Net weekly spending power 34.90 10.50 6.00 6.50 2.80 1.50 1.05 44.65
TABLE 3 NET WEEKLY SPENDING POWER (£) OF A SINGLE MOTHER WORKING FULL TIME WITH £12 WORK EXPENSES Gross earnings Tax National insurance contribution Child benefit Family income supplement Rent rebate 25.35 — 1.65 10.50 14.50 6.50 32.25 — 2.10 10.50 14.20 6.15 35.00 0.02 2.28 10.50 12.80 5.81 40.00 1.27 2.60 10.50 10.30 5.19 50.00 3.81 3.25 10.50 5.30 3.94 60.00 6.81 3.90 10.50 0.30 3.08 70.00 9.81 4.55 10.50 — 1.43 77.00 11.91 5.00 10.50 — 0.24 82.00 13.41 5.33 10.50 — — 95.00 17.31 6.18 10.50 — — 96.00 17.61 6.24 10.50 — — Gross earnings Rates rebate Work expenses Free school meals Free welfare milk Net weekly spending power 25.35 2.80 12.00 1.50 1.05 39.25 32.25 2.40 12.00 1.50 1.05 44.65 35.00 2.29 12.00 1.50 1.05 45.25 40.00 2.09 12.00 1.50 1.05 45.46 50.00 1.69 12.00 1.50 1.05 45.62 60.00 1.39 12.00 1.50 1.05 45.81 70.00 0.81 12.00 1.50 — 48.58 77.00 0.39 12.00 1.50 — 51.42 82.00 0.09 12.00 1.50 — 54.05 95.00 — 12.00 1.50 — 62.21 96.00 — 12.00 — — 61.35