HC Deb 17 November 1981 vol 13 c105W
58. Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to change the basis on which unemployment benefit is paid.

Mrs. Chalker

We have no plans to change the contributory basis on which unemployment benefit is paid. If my hon. Friend has any specific point in mind, perhaps he would let me know.

Mr. Murphy

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will consider relaxing the conditions relating to unemployment benefit to encourage the taking up of part-time work.

Mrs. Chalker

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) on 21 October—[Vol. 10, c. 157–58]—about the proposed increase from 75p to £2 a day in the earnings limit for people receiving unemployment benefit.