HC Deb 01 November 1988 vol 139 c624W
Mr. Harry Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people receiving benefits from his Department's office in Chesterfield have failed to qualify for the transitional payments scheme by failing to sign the required declaration when requested to.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

I regret the information requested is not available.

Sir Ian Gilmour

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures showing the values of(a) child benefit and (b) child benefit plus the long-term national insurance benefit additions for the children of widows and invalidity pensioners in each year since 1979 (i) at current prices, (ii) at constant 1988 prices and (iii) as percentages of average male manual earnings.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The information is as set out in the table:

Mr. Scott

There are already exceptions to the "living alone" rule for the severe disability premium. For example, the presence of a resident carer who is engaged by a charitable or voluntary body (other than a public or local authority) which charges the claimant for the carer's services would not preclude the award of this premium. We have promised to look at the detail of the premium structure in the light of the OPCS surveys on disabilities. Meanwhile, people who need to pay for domestic help or personal care, whether or not they qualify for the severe disability premium, can apply to the independent living fund for help with the cost.