HC Deb 10 March 1980 vol 980 cc428-9W
Sir Brandon Rhys Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the amount by which child benefit would have to be increased next November in order to restore the combined value of child benefit at £3 plus residual child tax allowances in November 1978, or the value of child benefit at £4 in April 1979, whichever of these two was the higher at constant prices.

Mrs. Chalker

On the basis of the Industry Act forecast of the movement of prices from quarter 4, 1979 to quarter 4, 1980 of 14 per cent. child benefit would have to be increased by:

  1. (a) 85p for children under 11 years, £1.16 for 11 to 15-year olds, and £1.41 for those aged 16 and over, to restore combined value of child benefit of £3 and residual child tax allowances to a standard rate taxpayer at November 1978.
  2. (b) £1.06 for children of all ages to restore the value of £4 at April 1979.