§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the present benefits now payable to a single unemployed (a) male and (b) female, respectively, aged (i) 16 years, (ii) 17 years, (iii) 18 years, (iv) 19 years and (v) 20 years; and what these sums will be after the annual uprating in November 1981.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe standard rate of unemployment benefit for a single person, male or female, who is over school leaving age but under pensionable age, and who satisfies the relevant contribution conditions, is £20.65; this will go up to £22.50 in November 1981. Earnings-related supplement may be payable, depending on the claimant's earnings factor in the relevant income tax year preceding the benefit year in which the period of interruption of employment began. The maximum payable in addition to standard rate unemployment benefit where the period of interruption of employment began after 3 January 1981 is £14.
The supplementary benefit scale rate for an unemployed single householder, of whatever age and sex., is £21.30; this will go up to e23.25 in November 1981. The benefit payable also takes account of the claimant's 253W housing costs. The relevant scale rates for non-householders, of either sex, are £13.10 at ages 16–17, and £17.05 at age 18 or over; these will go up to £14.30 and £18.60 respectively in November 1981. The housing addition for non-householders is at present £2.15; the November 1981 rate will be announced shortly.