§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will introduce measures to raise the level of support available to people on income support in respect of community charge liabilities;
(2) if he will make special one off payments to those people on income support living in areas where the community charge will be over £315.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will increase income support payments to claimants to cover 20 per cent. of the actual national average of the community charge of £350 as against the notional national average of 20 per cent. of £278.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardIncome support levels were adjusted on a once-for-all basis in April 1989 to include help towards the average 20 per cent. contribution to the community charge. The amounts included now form part of the overall benefit levels, which are of course being uprated next month.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimates his Department has regarding the number of people on income support who will be worse off under the community charge because the local charge is higher than the figure allowed for in the 20 per cent. uprating.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe information requested is not available.