HC Deb 03 November 1983 vol 47 c452W
Mr. Maude

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the results of his Department's review of the position of the self-employed in the national insurance system that took place in 1981.

Dr. Boyson

In 1980 we published a discussion document and consulted widely on the basis of it; but there was no clear consensus among the 16 organisations and 63 individuals who responded to it. Even the most popular change suggested—extending unemployment benefit to self-employed people — failed to command majority support and is open to serious objections. In particular, even the organisations that supported it did not think that self-employed people would be prepared to pay the extra amount needed in class 2 contributions — about £7 a week for the current year, instead of the present £4.40. We therefore concluded that the national insurance system is not an appropriate vehicle for channelling help to self-employed people. We are grateful to all those who replied and to the organisation that took part in subsequent discussions.