HC Deb 10 March 1980 vol 980 cc421-2W
Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what account, in assessing their entitlement to supplementary benefit, is taken of strike pay paid to its members in the steel strike by the General and Municipal Workers Union.

Mr. Prentice

Strike pay is taken into account in full, except for the striker with dependants, where there is a disregard of £4 if there is no other miscellaneous income qualifying for this disregard.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would have been the saving in supplementary benefit paid to steel strikers if the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation had paid strike pay at the same rate as the General and Municipal Workers Union is paying its members involved in the steel dispute.

Mr. Prentice

Up to 4 March, the saving is estimated at £1¼ million.