§ Mr. DunnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of how many families with children would not have gained from an increase in child benefit in April; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. MooreIncreasing child benefit would not help the 1.5 million families who receive income-related benefits. We believe it best to concentrate help on those who most need it. That is why almost all children in families claiming income-related benefits will get an extra 50p per week this April over and above the amount needed to maintain the real value of benefits. These benefits do hit their targets. Experience shows that almost £9 out of every £10 of available income-related benefits is claimed, and nearly four out of five families eligible actually get them. For families who do not rely on income-related benefits (and around 70 per cent. of them have incomes above average male earnings), £7.25 child benefit a week per child is a worthwhile recognition of the extra cost of bringing up a family.