§ Mr. Needhamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will estimate the savings which would be achieved if short-term supplementary benefit was uprated by less than the inflation rate for each percentage point below the rate of inflation that the increase in the rate of benefit is abated;
(2) if he will estimate the savings which would be achieved if unemployment benefit was uprated by less than the inflation rate for each percentage point below the rate that the increase in the rate of benefit is abated.
§ Dr. BoysonA reduction of one percentage point in the rate of short-term supplementary benefit would save about £40 million in a full year. A similar change in the rate of unemployment benefit would save £13 million if supplementary benefit rates were left unchanged and £17 million if both benefits were changed simultaneously.
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§ Dr. Michael Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the provisions that exist to provide United Kingdom citizens without birth certificates with the full range of benefits to which they would be eligible were they to hold a birth certificate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonYes. A birth certificate is the most readily available evidence of age, but, if a certificate cannot be produced, appropriate alternative evidence is acceptable.