HC Deb 07 February 1989 vol 146 cc628-9W
Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average single payment for maternity needs in(a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom in the last year in which such payments were available.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Single payments for maternity needs were abolished in April 1987. The May 1987 annual statistical inquiry gives information relating to single payments made in Great Britain in the 12 months preceding the date of the inquiry. This shows that the average single payment for maternity needs in that year was £104.10. Information for Scotland could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information for Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many single parents with dependent children were in receipt of(a) supplementary benefit in the last year in which it was available and (b) income support in each year it has been available for (i) Scotland and (ii) the United Kingdom.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The information requested is as follows:

Great Britain Scotland
Supplementary benefit—lone parents 659,000 76,000
Income support—lone parents 684,010 78,938

Note:

The figures supplied are for Great Britain. Information relating to Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Source:

The annual statistical inquiry May 1987.

Income support quarterly statistical inquiry 31 May 1988.

Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much community charge rebate a working single parent with two young children and a net income of £124.60 a week would qualify for.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Assuming that both children are under the age of 11 and that no members of the family are disabled, and also assuming an annual personal community charge of £280 a year (the average charge in Scotland, weighted by population), no rebate would be payable.

Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much community charge rebate a single mother with two young children and in receipt of £64.75 income support a week would qualify for.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Anyone getting income support, however large or small the amount, will qualify for the maximum rebate of 80 per cent. of his or her personal community charge. An amount reflecting the estimated average 20 per cent. community charge liability which income support claimants will have to pay has been included in the levels of income support from 1 April 1989.