§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of average gross male industrial earnings child benefit has represented in each year since 1978–79.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe information is as follows:
Child benefit as a percentage of average gross male manual earnings Column 1 Columm 2 April 1978 3.6 — April 1979 4.3 — November 1980 4.0 — November 1981 4.1 — November 1982 4.2 — November 1983 4.3 4.4 November 1984 — 4.3 Notes
234W
- 1.The percentage figure for 1978 uses as its basis the level of child support in which has been included the value of an income tax allowance for a child under age 12.
- 2.In calculating the percentage figures, earnings have been derived from Department of Employment's "New Earnings Survey".
- 3.A revised method of presenting average gross male manual workers' earnings was introduced in 1983. Column 1 is based on earnings of male workers in full-time employment aged 21 and over whose earnings were unaffected by absence. Column 2 is based on earnings of all male workers in full-time employment whose earnings were unaffected by absence.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy towards the extent of uprating of child benefit in real terms in 1985 and subsequent years.
§ Mr. NewtonIt has been the practice to take decisions about the rate of child benefit having regard to the resources available and other social security priorities. This practice will continue.