HL Deb 25 March 1982 vol 428 cc1146-7WA
Lord Barnby

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In relation to a married man aged 30 with two children, accepted as an immigrant five years ago, immediately employed and making statutory contributions to the social services: (a) what amount he would draw per week in unemployed pay plus any available supplementary benefits, if he now experiences redundancy and unemployment; and (b) what pension he would be entitled to per week if he remained employed until pensionable age and had a spouse still living.

Lord Elton

A man in the circumstances prescribed by my noble friend who became unemployed in March 1982 would receive £48.50 a week in unemployment benefit and child benefit. He would also be eligible for supplementary benefit if his and his wife's income fell below his requirements as assessed for supplementary benefit purposes, and their capital resources did not exceed £2,000. His requirements for himself and his wife and children, if both were under 11 years old, would be £53.55 a week, plus allowable housing costs plus, possibly, special allowances for items such as heating. Supplementary benefit would be payable to bring the family income up to that level. If his wife was working, £4 a week of her net earnings would be disregarded and the rest taken into account.

At age 65, and assuming that he worked continuously, his contributions in this country would entitle him to a basic retirement pension of 89 per cent. of the standard rate, namely £2.34 for himself and £15.80 for his wife at current rates.

Depending on the country of residence prior to entry to the United Kingdom, there might be reciprocal agreements which would enable the United Kingdom basic pension to be increased to more than 89 per cent, because of residence or insurance before 1977. Assuming that he were contracted into the state pension scheme, entitlement to the earnings-related additional pension would be payable but would depend on the amount of his earnings in his 20 years of highest earnings. If they were the equivalent of current adult male average earnings, at current rates this could represent about £22.50 a week.