HC Deb 03 May 1990 vol 171 cc650-1W
Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing the rise in real values of income support using the statutory uprating dates of September to September between 1988–89 and 1990–91 for (i) a single person aged 18 to 24 years, (ii) a single person aged 25 years, (iii) a couple, (iv) a couple with two children under 11 years, (v) a single parent with one child under 11 years and (vi) a pensioner.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The information requested is in the table.

April 1988 rates April 1988 rates at September 1989 prices1 Actual rates April 1990
(£) (£) (£)
Single aged 18 to 24 26.05 28.69 28.80
Single aged 25 33.40 36.79 36.70
Couple (one aged 18 or over) 51.45 56.67 57.60
Couple with two children under 11 79.10 87.12 89.65

April 1988 rates April 1988 rates at September 1989 prices1 Actual rates April 1990
(£) (£) (£)
Single parent (aged 18 or over) with one child under 11 54.00 59.48 60.50
Pensioner aged 60 to 74 44.05 48.52 48.50
Pensioner aged 75 to 79 44.05 48.52 51.10
Pensioner aged 80 or over/60 or over and disabled 46.45 51.16 53.75
1 Based on the movement in the index of retail prices less housing costs between September 1987 and September 1989.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing the value of income support as a proportion of average net male earnings in 1990–91, using an estimate of average earnings for (i) a couple with two children aged under 11 years, (ii) a single person aged under 25 years, (iii) a single person over 25 years, (iv) a couple, (v) a single pensioner and (vi) a single mother with one child aged under 11 years.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman) on 1 February 1990 at column347. Figures on which to provide estimates will not be available until July.