§ Sir Brandon Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the expected overall net increase in expenditure on income support for families with children as a result of his social security reform proposals (a) including and (b) excluding the November 1985 cut in the real value of child benefit.
§ Mr. NewtonOn the assumptions made in the technical annex, including 20 per cent. contribution towards rates, but not taking account of any proposals for rate reforms, the income support rates illustrated would imply a net increase of some £100 million in weekly expenditure on all families with children compared to present rates of supplementary benefit and weekly additions. Since the actual child benefit in payment is deducted from the supplementary benefit income support scale rates for children, the amount of child benefit makes no difference to such families.