§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the results of his Department, after 13 months of the present Government, in achieving the policy programme which he set it on assuming office.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe Government's principal objectives in the health and personal social services, mostly set out in the manifesto, were to maintain spending on the National Health Service, to promote partnership with the voluntary and private sectors and to provide services which are less bureaucratic and more sensitive to local needs. The commitment on National Health Service spending has been maintained, and legislation before the House frees private medicine, and gives health authorities fund-raising powers. Central Government support for voluntary organisations is being maintained, proposals have been issued for more flexible future patterns of hospital provision, and revised arrangements will be announced shortly for the structure and management of the National Health Service. The Department has also, with others, contributed to the relaxation of central Government controls over local authorities, and reduction in the number of circulars.
633WIn the social security field, we have made progress towards the manifesto objectives, despite the overriding need to restrain public expenditure to get the economy straight. Within that constraint price protection for retirement and widow pensioners and the supplementary benefit safety net have been maintained, child benefits are being increased, and the annual payment of a Christmas bonus made statutory. War widows' pensions have been freed of tax and war and industrial injuries disablement benefits have been fully price-protected. Proposals have been put forward for an employers' statutory sick pay scheme, and for taxing unemployment and incapacity benefits. A simpler supplementary benefits scheme is being introduced; action is being stepped up against fraud and abuse, and the balance between union and employer in trade disputes in being redressed. I intend to make further progress in the months ahead.
In addition, we have provided better help for those most in need. Special help with heating costs has been provided for those on supplementary benefit and family income supplement and this is being extended next winter. From November, the chronic sick and disabled will be able to take advantage of the reduction in the qualifying level for the long term supplementary benefit rate from two years to one. Many of them will also benefit from increases in mobility allowance which will have increased by 45 per cent. since we came into office. The doubling of family income supplement payments will have helped low paid working families, especially lone parents, and provided them with a passport to other benefits. Lone parents will also have benefited by a 50 per cent. increase in the child benefit addition and speedier qualification for the long term supplementary benefit rate and more generous disregard for earnings. The maternity grant is being made non-contributory so that it will become available to all mothers including the small number who fail the present conditions.