§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of restoring the earnings link with invalidity benefit in the tax year 1981–82.
§ Mr. RossiIt has not been the practice of this or the previous Administration to reveal estimates of future earnings levels. I regret, therefore, that I cannot supply the information requested.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of restoring (a) the 5 per cent. abatement and (b) the 1 per cent. abatement to invalidity benefit in the tax year 1981–82; and if he will set out the basis of his calculations.
§ Mr. Rossi(a) £16 million; (b) £4 million.
279WThese figures are the estimated net cost in 1981–82 assuming the changes are made in the November 1981 uprating. (a) takes into account invalidity pension and adult dependant rates; (b) takes into account all benefit including invalidity allowances.