HC Deb 20 November 1987 vol 122 cc679-80W
Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what are the changes in disposable income after meeting housing costs of the following client groups receiving income-related benefits in Northern Ireland, as a result of changes announced in the reformed structure of income-related benefits(a) pensioners aged 80 years and over, (b) pensioners aged 60 to 79 years, (c) sick or disabled, (d) lone parents, (e) couples in full-time work with children, (f) others in full-time work and (g) others; if he will show the increases in disposable income and decreases of disposable income by bands of £1, £2 to £3, £3 to £4, £4 to £5, and £5 plus; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the effect on disposable income of people in Northern Ireland receiving income support of the reformed structure of income-related benefits by main client groups;

(3) what will be the effect for Northern Ireland of the reformed structure of income-related benefits on the disposable incomes of working families with children receiving family credit, by family size;

(4) what will be the effect of the reformed structure of income-related benefits on the disposable incomes of people in receipt of housing benefit or family income supplement or family credit in Northern Ireland by main client group;

(5) what will be the effect for Northern Ireland of the reformed structure of income-related benefits on the disposable incomes of people receiving housing benefit, family income supplement or family credit, by family status and age; commissioners should be confirmed, to satisfy itself that the Government's objective of protecting academic freedom has been properly met. Moreover, the fact that academics will no longer be precluded from actions in the courts against their employers for wrongful dismissal will represent a further strengthening of academic freedom, in addition to the access they have to industrial tribunals over claims of unfair dismissal.