§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much was paid in benefit in 1989 to one-parent families in Britain; and what estimate he has as to the amount likely to be spent in 1990.
§ Mr. John TownendTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the annual cost of support for one-parent families.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe information is set out in the table:
Social security expenditure on lone parents £ million, Great Britain Cash prices £
Real terms (in 1989–90 prices) £
11988–89 3,630 3,884 1989–90 3,930 3,930 1990–91 4,290 4,086 Notes:
1 Revised figures for 1988–89 take account of amended estimates of Housing Benefit and Child Benefit expenditure.
2 Benefits included are Child Benefit, One Parent Benefit, Income Support, Family Credit, Housing Benefit and Maternity Benefit.
§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what improvements have been made to benefits for single parents since 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardImprovements made to the benefit system for lone-parent families since 1979 are shown in table 1. Other improvements to the benefit system for families with children which have also helped lone-parent families are shown in table 2. These are in addition to increases of benefit in annual upratings.
Table 1
Improvements In Benefit System for Lone Parent Families Date and Change
November 1980
Supplementary Benefit. The £6 weekly flat rate disregard was replaced by a tapered earnings disregard up to a maximum of £12 (first £4 of earnings disregarded in full, and half of the amount of any earnings between £4 and £20 also disregarded.)
April 1988
Income Support. The new structure of personal allowances provided that all lone parents aged 18 or over received the full adult rate of Income Support. For single people without dependants this rate only available from age 25.
Lone parent premium introduced; paid on top of the family premium from the outset of a claim for those lone parents who did not qualify for another type of premium.
Earnings disregard increased from the £12 a week tapered disregard to a flat rate £15 a week.
Family Credit. A much more generous scheme for all low-income families than the Family Income Supplement scheme.
Lone parent families assessed at the same level as two-parent families.
One Parent Benefit disregarded in calculating a claimant's income.
Housing Benefit. General alignment of benefit rules with Income Support, with higher level of lone parent premium in Housing Benefit providing an incentive to move off Income Support.
343WProposed Improvements
October 1990
Housing Benefit, Community Charge Benefit. For lone parents not on Income Support earnings disregard to be increased from £15 to £25 a week.
Table 2
Improvements in Benefit System for Families with Children
which have also helped Lone Parent Families
Date and Change
November 1979
Supplementary Benefit. Introduction of age-related heating addition for children under 5 years of age.
November 1980
Supplementary Benefit. Reduction of qualifying period for long-term scale rate from 2 years to 1 year.
July 1982
Maternity Grant. The £25 Maternity Grant made non-contributory.
November 1985
Family Income Supplement. Age-related rates for children introduced.
April 1987
Maternity Benefits. Introduction of Statutory Maternity Pay paid by employer.
More recent contribution test for Maternity Allowance for women not entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay.
Greater choice for women as to when to give up work in pregnancy without affecting title to either Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance.
April 1988
General. Social Security reforms improved the position for those wanting to work.
For the first time the income-related benefits aligned so that entitlement to Income Support, Housing Benefit and Family Credit assessed using the same basic rules.
By assessing Familt Credit and Housing Benefit on net rather than gross income the worst effects of the poverty trap eliminated.
Income Support. Family premium introduced to help families bringing up children.
Value of interest in former home disregarded for 26 weeks following estrangement or divorce.
Housing Benefit. Start point for Housing Benefit became 100 per cent. of eligible rent and 80 per cent. of eligible rates.
April 1989
Income Support, Family Credit, Housing Benefit. Children's rates enhanced by 50p over and above amount needed to maintain their real value.
Proposed Improvements
April 1990
Income Support, Housing Benefit, Community Charge Benefit. Extra 50p to be added to the family premium over and above the amount needed to maintain real value.Family Credit. Adult credit to be increased by £1 over and above the amount needed to maintain real value.