HC Deb 13 February 1990 vol 167 cc147-8W
Mr. Andrew Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many carers will benefit from the increase of the invalid care allowance earnings limit from £12 to £20.

Mr. Scott

I regret this information is not available. It is likely that a small number of carers earning between £12 and £20 per week will be able to qualify for invalid care allowance for the first time. Data are not collected on the numbers of existing recipients currently earning less than £12 who stand to gain by increasing their earnings to the new limit.

Mr. Andrew Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what will be the cost of the increase in the invalid care allowance earnings limit from £12 to £20.

Mr. Scott

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 13 December 1989 at columns663–64.

Mr. Andrew Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to publicise the increase in the earnings limit for the invalid care allowance.

Mr. Scott

We shall be publishing a revised version of the invalid care allowance leaflet in April, and we are considering what additional publicity we might provide to bring the increased earnings limit to the attention of those who might benefit.