HC Deb 01 December 1988 vol 142 cc385-7W
Mr. Allen Adams

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will give the value of the board and

strokes, (vi) Parkinson's disease, (vii) Alzheimers's disease and (viii) osteo/rheumatoid arthritis and (b) the number of people over 75 years old who have been identified as needing or having the above.

Mrs. Currie

[holding answer 25 November]: The available information is given in the table.

lodging allowance paid to hostel dwellers in April 1985, 1986 and 1988 in 1988 prices; and if he has any plans to increase the current rate;

(2) what proposals he has for raising allowances for hostel dwellers in the current financial year; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Hostel dwellers do not receive income support (and formerly supplementary benefit) at a fixed rate. Income support includes help towards the accommodation charge and meals subject to a maximum limit, together with a personal allowance. Personal allowances are normally increased each April along with increases in other benefits. These will be increased from 10 April 1989 as follows:

April 1988 £ April 1989 £
Lower
Single 10.30 11.95
Couple 20.60 23.90
Higher
Single 11.50 13.25
Couple 23.00 26.50
Dependant children
under 11 3.45 4.10
age 11–15 5.30 6.05
age 16–17 6.20 7.00
age 18 10.30 11.95

There are no plans to increase the maximum hostel limit which continues to cover the majority of charges.

The following table shows the average amounts of income support (and formerly supplementary benefit) paid to hostel dwellers in cash terms and at May 1988 values. May figures are used, because information for April is not available. No figures on average payments are available before December 1985.

Average payment £ At May 1988 prices £
May 1986 65.76 71.38
May 1987 67.24 70.08
May 1988 70.72 70.72