§ Mr. Peter Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what factors are considered in setting the timing and amount of changes in the value of child benefit; and who makes the determination.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe Child Benefit Act prescribes that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services shall consider annually whether the rates of child benefit should be increased having regard to the national economic situation as a whole, the general standard of living and such other matter as he thinks relevant.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when is the latest date for changing the amount of child benefit for payment in November.
§ Mr. PrenticeAny change after the beginning of May would increase the administrative cost of the uprating.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the value of child support for a family of two adults and two children under 11 years paying tax at the standard rate in 1980 money after the Budget proposals, as a percentage of the married couple's retirement pension, and as an index number using 1980 as 100 for each year since the family allowance was introduced.
§ Mr. PrenticeI will let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.