§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what dietary guidelines he uses in determining levels of supplementary benefit and family income supplement levels;
(2) if he will give details of the amount of supplementary benefit and family income supplement available for food purchase by different claimant groups.
§ Mr. NewtonThere is no specific amount for food, or any other item, in the supplementary benefit scale rates. The rates are based on the national assistance rates set in 1948, which were based upon an assessment of requirements for food and other essential items. The real value of the rates has more than doubled since 1948, but upratings have not been based on the revaluation of particular items. The family income supplement prescribed amounts were originally set in 1971 having regard to, amongst other things, the supplementary benefit rates. The amounts have been increased since then well ahead of prices.