HC Deb 14 January 1981 vol 996 c543W
Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, to mark the International Year of Disabled People, he will seek to uprate the discretionary payments for those on supplementary benefit for bedclothes.

Mr. Rossi

These payments are normally increased annually, were last increased in November 1980, and can be expected to be increased in November of this year.

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, to mark the International Year of Disabled People, he will seek to uprate discretionary payments for those on supplementay benefit for furniture and household equipment.

Mr. Rossi

Lump sum payments of supplementary benefit for furniture and household equipment are not fixed amounts; they are whatever sum is needed to purchase items of reasonable quality.