§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current earnings limit for the long-term unemployed on national assistance; and what was the limit in terms of current prices at the same date in each of the past 15 years.
§ Dr. BoysonThe current supplementary benefit earnings disregard for unemployed claimants is £4 a week. The following table sets out the information requested:
Earnings disregard Date Actual value *Value in January 1984 terms £ weekly £ weekly November 1969 1.00 4.92 November 1970 1.00 4.56 November 1971 1.00 4.18 November 1972 1.00 3.88 November 1973 1.00 3.52 November 1974 1.00 2.97 November 1975 2.00 4.75 November 1976 2.00 4.13 November 1977 2.00 3.66 November 1978 2.00 3.38 November 1979 2.00 2.88 November 1980 4.00 5.00 November 1981 5.00 4.47 November 1982 4.00 4.20 November 1983 4.00 4.01 * Based on the movement in the general index of retail prices between the dates shown and January 1984, the latest date for which the index is available.