§ Mr. ClayTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table showing the value of supplementary benefit for a couple with two children, aged six and eight years as a percentage of average net earnings for all men and all manual men for each year since 1978 to April 1987.
§ Mr. PortilloThe information is in the table.
136WIt should be noted that these figures take no account of other benefits available to either families receiving supplementary benefit or families who are in full time work. In particular, the value of housing benefit and of child benefit is excluded.
Supplementary benefit rate expressed as a percentage of average net weekly earnings Uprating dates All adult males Married couple with two children per cent. All male manuals Married couple with two children per cent. November 19781 51.1 55.1 November 1979 50.5 54.8 November 1980 50.3 56.3 November 1981 50.8 57.6 November 1982 52.6 59.9 November 1983 50.9 58.2 November 1984 48.9 56.1 November 1985 48.1 55.4 July 1986 45.7 53.1 April 1987 43.0 50.7 1 1978—Child benefit not included, but child tax allowance is included. Note: Net average earnings are the estimates of average gross weekly earnings less tax and national insurance contributions at the non-contracted out rate.