HC Deb 29 November 1985 vol 87 c709W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage increase in pay would be necessary for a person whose net weekly spending power in work is the same as that when he is unemployed, in order to maintain that parity when welfare benefits are increased by 7 per cent.

Mr. Newton

The information requested would vary on the composition of the household. The information in the table gives three examples of hypothetical family types, whose net weekly spending power is the same as when unemployed. Assumptions are as per the November 1984 DHSS tax-benefit model tables updated to show also the November 1985 situation.

Level of gross earnings at which net weekly

spending power in work is equal to that when

unemployed and receiving supplementary benefit.

November 1984 November 1985 Percentage change
Single non-householder over 21 31.40 33.45 +6.5
Single householder 38.83 39.05 +0.6
Married couple with 2 children (4 & 6) 38.79 38.26 -1.4

Note:

In October 1985 a lower percentage national insurance contribution of 5 per cent. for those earning between £35.50 and £55 was introduced.

Centre and address HEO EO CO CA WS RSO TYP Nurse SW Total
London resettlement units/re-establishment centers
Cedars Lodge
113 Cedars Road, London SW4 1 3 6 1 2 16 1 30
West End House
91 Dean Street, London W1 1 3 7 1 20 2.5 34.5
Pound Lodge
Pound Lane, London NW10 1 3 5 1 1 12 1 24
Lancelot Andrews
96 Gt. Guildford Street, London SE1 1 3 5 1 1 12 1 24
Camden
2 Birkenhead Street, London WC1 1 2 5 1 1 8 1 3 22
Bridge House
50 Kingsdown Close, London W10 1 4 5 1 3 12 2 28
Spur House
12a Ennersdale Road, London SE13 1 5 7 1 4 18 1 2 39
Resettlement unit administered on the department's behalf by local authority
Brighton
250 Elm Grove, Brighton 1 2 3
Combined resettlement and day re-establishment centres administered by DHSS
Alvaston 1 3 4 .5 2 9 19.5
Fazakerly 1 3 5 1 3 10 23
Glasgow 1 4 6 1 5 12 29
Leeds 1 3 6 .5 5 10 1 26.5
Leicester 1 4 4 1 4 10 .5 24.5
Newbury 1 3 4 1 4 10 .5 23.5
Plawsworth 1 3 6 1 3 12 26
Sittingbourne 1 3 4 1 2 10 21