§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the level of each of the main benefits paid weekly if each had been linked only to price changes since 1954 or from the date when each benefit was first introduced, whichever is the later.
§ Dr. BoysonThe information requested is set out in the following table.
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Benefit (1) Rate at November 1954 (or date of introduction) (2) Rate in column (1) expressed at November 1983 prices (unrounded)* (3) Actual November 1983 rate Invalidity benefit 1.95 (September 197l) † 8.22 7.60 Non-contributory invalidity pension 5.00 (November 1975) † 11.86 7.60 Invalid care allowance 5.00 (July 1976) † 10.94 7.60 Guardian's Allowance 0.75 6.13 7.60 Child's Special Allowance 0.425 (November 1957) † 3.4 7.60 Child Dependency Additions To unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, maternity allowance 0.125† 1.02 0.15 Family Income Supplement Prescribed amount for family with one child (income below which FIS is payable) 18.00 (August 1971) 76.01 85.50 Increase in prescribed amount for each additional child 2.00 (August 1971) 8.45 9.50 Maximum weekly amount for a one child family 4.00 (August 1971) 16.89 22.00 Increase in maximum amount for each additional child 0.50 (July 1975) 1.23 2.00 Industrial Disablement Benefit Disablement pension: Aged over 18 or with dependant (100 per cent.) 2.75 22.46 55.60 Aged under 18 without dependant (100 per cent.) 1.375 11.23 34.05 Industrial Death Benefit Initial rate 2.125 17.36 47.65 Higher permanent rate 1.85 15.11 34.60 Lower permanent rate 1.00 8.17 10.22 Supplementary Benefits Ordinary rate: Couple 2.95 22.77 43.50 Single householder 1.75 13.51 26.80 Non-householder age 18 and over 1.30 10.03 21.45 Age 16–17 1.075 8.30 16.50 Long term rate: Couple 12.85 (October 1973) 44.69 54.55 Single householder 8.15 (October 1973) 28.35 34.10 Non-householder age 18 and over 6.60 (October 1973) 22.96 27.25 Age 16–17 16.65 (November 1980) 20.54 20.90 Other person aged: 11–15 0.80 6.17 13.70 5–10 0.675 5.21 9.15 Under 5 0.55 4.25 9.15 War Pensions Disablement pension for Private at 100 per cent, rate 2.75 22.46 55.60 Widows pension—Private's widow: Standard rate 2.10 17.15 44.25 Childless widow under 40 years 1.60 (April 1971) 6.89 10.22 * Based on the movement in the General Index of Retail Prices—for Supplementary Benefits the General Retail Prices Index (Less Housing). † Family Allowance/Child Benefit paid in addition.