§ Mr. Squireasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table showing the ordinary and long-term scale rates—including the addition for rent—for a single person, a couple, a couple plus one child aged five to 11 years, a couple plus two children, one aged under five years and one aged five to 11 years, and a couple plus four children, two aged under five years and two aged five to 11 years, as a percentage of average net male earnings in November 1980 and 1981.
§ Mr. NewtonThe information is as follows:
43W
Supplementary Benefit Scale Rates, Plus Average Additions for Housing Costs*, as a Percentage of Net Average Earnings† (Percentage) November 1980 November 1981‡ Family type Ordinary Long-term Ordinary Long-term Single Person 32.7 38.9 34.6 40.8 Married Couple 45.8 54.8 48.0 57.0 Married couple + 1 child (aged 5.10 years)§ 52.3 60.9 54.6 63.2 Married couple + 2 children (1 aged under 5,║1 aged 5–10)§ 58.7 66.9 61.1 69.3 Married couple + 4 children (2 aged under 5,║ 2 aged 5–10)§ 65.6 73.1 67.5 75.0 * An average housing requirement addition for unemployed claimants in respect of each family group. † Net average earnings are the estimated average gross weekly earnings of men (aged 21 and over) in full-time employment in all occupations in Great Britain whose pay was not affected by absence. They have been derived from the April New Earnings Survey estimates using a three month moving average of the whole economy index, less tax and NI contributions at the non-contracted out rate, plus child benefit where appropriate. ‡ November 1981 figures are provisional. § Information given is for families with children aged 5–10 and not 5–11, as the age bands of the appropriate children's scale rates are 10 and under, and 11–15. ║ Includes age related heating additions for children under 5.