HC Deb 18 January 1982 vol 16 c60W
Mr. Golding

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the percentage change in the real value of unemployment benefit since May 1979; and whether he will publish such an index on a regular basis.

Mrs. Chalker

On the basis of the latest retail prices index figure for November 1981, the current standard rate of unemployment benefit for a single person is worth 0.5 per cent. more than the equivalent rate in May 1979. If the rate of benefit taken for May 1979 includes the average earnings-related supplement (ERS) paid to unemployed people getting ERS at that date, then the current benefit rate represents a reduction of 34.8 per cent., for a claimant who is not entitled to ERS under the transitional arrangements. However, only 16 per cent. of unemployed claimants were receiving ERS in May 1979.

Tables 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5 of the "Abstract of Statistics for Index of Retail Prices, Average Earnings, Social Security Benefits and Contributions", a copy of which is in the Library, give information on the real value of unemployment benefit at uprating dates. Comparisons between rates at different dates between upratings can be misleading.