HC Deb 13 January 1986 vol 89 cc495-6W
Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what level of benefit is assumed for 16 and 17-year-old unemployed claimants in the illustrative examples of the effects of the social security White Paper;

(2) what account the technical annexe to the White Paper on social security analysis of gainers and losers takes of 16 and 17-year-olds who currently claim benefit in their own right.

Mr. Newton

The illustrative figures assume that 16 to 17-year-old claimants will continue to be entitled to benefit in their own right, with a personal allowance of £18.20 per week for single people and £36.40 for couples, increased by any further premiums where eligible. The effects for this age group are included in the tables in the technical annex.

Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans the Government have for payment and assessment of family credit to strikers' families during the period of a strike under the White Paper on the reform of social security.

Mr. Newton

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Mrs. Beckett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what he estimates will be the percentage take up of family credit.

Mr. Newton

As explained in paragraph 2.10 of that document, the illustrations in the technical annex to the White Paper "Reform of Social Security" (Cmnd. 9691) are consistent with a take-up rate of 60 per cent.

Mrs. Beckett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of working families will have their marginal tax rates (a) increased and (b) reduced as a result of the implementation of proposals contained in the White Paper "Reform of Social Security", Cmnd. 9691.

Mr. Newton

I regret that information about changes in marginal tax rates for individuals is not available.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state, for the London borough of Newham, each category of claimant, the numbers involved and the amounts gained or lost each week in benefits arising from his recent White Paper proposals for the reform of Social Security.

Mr. Newton

This information is not available.