§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will update the reply given to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North Official Report, 9 November 1978, column 348, comparing rates of child support from the end of November (a) when the parents are working. (b) when the parents are in receipt of national insurance unemployment or sickness benefit and (c) when they are in receipt of supplementary benefit.
§ Mrs. ChalkerFollowing is the information in weekly amounts payable from the end of November 1980:
it would be necessary to calculate the likely level of earnings during the 1978–79 income tax year on which the ERS would be based. This would, normally be done by deflating the level of earnings in December 1980 by the change in the index of average earnings, over the intervening period. The figures needed for this calculation, are not expected to be available before April 1981.
§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the number of families, and the number of people living in families, with incomes (a) below supplementary benefit levels, (b) at supplement benefit levels, (c) within 120 per cent. of supplementary benefit levels and (d) be- 743W tween 120 per cent. and 140 per cent. of supplementary benefit levels, distinguishing between families where the head is in full-time paid work and those where the head is retired, unemployed or sick, or a lone parent.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 1 November 1979, which included the latest estimates.—[Vol. 972, c.659–70.]