HC Deb 17 October 1989 vol 158 cc105-6W
Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received about increasing the earned income allowance for single parents; what estimates he has of the reduction in the numbers of single parents who would receive income support following such an increase in the allowance; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

Many representations are received by Government on all aspects of taxation. Reductions in personal taxation like those made by this Government should generally be improving individuals' incentives to work. Whilst it is undoubtedly true that income tax reductions have helped raise the take-home pay of lone parents who choose to work, I know of no evidence

Date Change Legislation
1 April 1989 To enable community charge recipients to be eligible for Social Fund funeral payments. The Social Fund Maternity and Funeral Expenses (General) Amendment Regulations 1989 SI No 379.
1 April 1989 Boarders no longer treated as non-dependants for Housing Benefit or Income Support purposes but similar standard deductions from Housing Benefit/housing costs to be made. Housing Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1989 SI No 416 Income Support (General) Amendment Regulations 1989 SI No 534.
1 April 1989 Complementary change to other income disregards to reflect the separate status of boarders and non-dependants in Housing Benefit. Housing Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1989 SI No 416.
1 April 1989 Complementary provision to the introduction of an 'enhanced' pensioner premium to ensure that working pensioners getting the enhanced premium retain a £15 earnings disregard if underlying entitlement to the disability premium remains. Housing Benefit (General) Amendment Regulation 1989 SI No 416.
1 April 1989 Extension of disregard of a former dwelling to a former partner with care of one or more dependent children Housing Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1989 SI No 416.
1 April 1989 Introduction of the rent officer referral arrangements. Housing Benefit (General) Amendment No 2 Regulation 1989 SI No 566.
The Rent Officers (Additional Functions) Order 1989 SI No 590 The Rent Officers (Additional Functions) (Scotland) Order 1989 SI No 578.
1 April 1989 Introduction of Community Charge Rebates in Scotland. Housing Benefit (Community Charge Rebates) (Scotland) Regulations 1989 SI No 1890 (S 178).

suggesting that an increase in the additional personal allowance would substantially reduce the number of lone parent families receiving income support.