§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of, the, average weekly pay-
Age In work* Sick or short-term unemployed† Dependent on Supplementary Benefit (a) (b) (c) £ £ £ Under 5 4.75 6.00 7.30 5–10 4.75 6.00 11–12 4.75 6.00 10.90 13–15 4.75 6.00 16–17 4.75 6.00 13.10 18 and over, 4.75 6.00‡ 17.05 * An increase of child benefit of £3 pert week from 24 November is payable in respect of one child in a one-parent family. † The rates shown relate to beneficiaries who are either unemployed or sick in the short-term. A higher rate may apply in the case of long-term sickness. ‡ There is an upper, age limit of 19 for child benefit and national insurance child dependency increases.
§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table showing the net weekly income, including tax rebate where applicable, in December of a married man with two children (a) when at work earning £95 per week and (b) when sick, assuming that earnings-related sickness benefit is made up to full pay by the employer, and that sickness commences at the start of December.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI regret that I am unable to provide the information requested. The needs allowances for housing benefits, which will be operative in December 1980, are not yet known. Furthermore, in order to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of earnings related supplement—ERS—payable in December 1980,
742Wment to the unemployed, taking into account supplementary benefit and earnings-related supplements as well as flat-rate national insurance benefit.
§ Mrs. ChalkerIt is estimated that the average payment in the first quarter of 1980 was about £26.50 per week.