§ Mr. Kenneth Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many unemployed persons received the earnings-related supplement in each of the
(1) (2) (3) Lowest ERS Payable Highest ERS Payable Average ERS Paid £ £ £ 1975 … … 0.01 9.37 5.56 1976 … … 0.01 10.27 6.48 1977 … … 0.01 12.18 7.43 1978 … … 0.01 15.42 8.32 1979 … … 0.01 16.25 8.54 1980 … … 0.01 17.67 8.80 The figures in column 3 for the years 1975–79 are the average payments which were being made on a day in May of each year. The 1980 figure is the estimate for the financial year 1979–80.
§ Mr. Kenneth Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what saving will be made for each of the categories of earnings-related supplements, which in total is estimated in the White Paper through their withdrawal to produce a total saving of £130 million in 1982–83.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe figure quoted in the White Paper is the estimated net saving at "1979 survey prices", assuming the introduction of an employer's statutory sick pay scheme in April 1982, and after taking account of increased expenditure on supplementary benefit. The extent of the latter depends on the relative rates of national insurance and supplementary benefits, and a revised estimate, taking account of the November 1980 rates which my right hon. Friend announced in his statement to the House on 27140W last five years; and how many will receive it in the current year.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe number of unemployed persons receiving earnings-related supplement on a day in May in each of the years was as follows:
1975 … … … 171,000 1976 … … … 245,000 1977 … … … 223,000 1978 … … … 204,000 1979 … … … 176,000 *1980 … … … 190,000 * The 1980 figure is the estimate for the financial year 1979–80.
§ Mr. Kenneth Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the highest, lowest and average amounts of earnings-related supplements paid to the unemployed in the last five years and the estimate for the current year.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe information requested is as follows:
March—[Vol. 981, c. 1658–78]—is given in the financial memorandum to the Social Security (No. 2) Bill published on 28 March. The latter shows an estimated gross saving in cash terms of £360 million in 1982–83, given the current benefit structure. The earnings-related supplement in respect of each benefit within this total is:
£ million Sickness Benefit 185 Injury Benefit 15 Maternity Allowance 35 Unemployment Benefit 110 Widows' Allowance 15 The gross saving would be offset by an estimated additional expenditure of £75 million on supplementary benefit.