§ Mr. Thurnhamasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about raising the ceiling for the payment of maintenance for spouses and children in line with the raising of personal allowances; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MooreI assume my hon. Friend is referring to the limits for small maintenance payments which must be paid without deduction of tax. A Treasury order was made in February (SI 1986 No. 328) introducing new limits for payments due on or after 6 April 1986 as follows:
- (a) £48 a week or £208 a month for payments made by one spouse to another, and for payments made to a person under 21 for his or her own benefit; and
- (b) £25 a week or £108 a month for payments to any other person for the benefit of a person under 21.
These new limits exceed the current personal allowances and were announced in an Inland Revenue Press Release on 27 February.