§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by what percentage the addition to widows' benefit for a dependent child, including child benefit, is to be increased in April 1989; and what was the percentage increase in prices over the 12 months to September 1988.
§ Mr. Peter LloydIn common with the other non-income-related benefits the child dependency increase payable with widows' benefit is to be uprated by the best of both worlds approach which my right hon. Friend explained to the House on 27 October. The child dependency increase will rise by slightly more than 6.5 per cent. from April 1989. The addition to widows' benefit for a dependent child, including child benefit, will be increased by 3.5 per cent. The percentage increase in the published RPI over the 12 months to September 1988 was 5.9 per cent.