§ Mr. NellistTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the main rate of supplementary benefit or income support available in Northern Ireland in 1979 for (i) a single person and (ii) a couple with two children; and what the value would be today if it had been raised in line with(a) the RPI and (b) average industrial wages.
§ Mr. Hanley[holding answer 15 April 1991]: The available information is as follows:
Single1 householder Couple1 with two children under 5 £ £ Supplementary benefit Scale rate—November 1979 18.30 40.10 Value if raised in line with: (a) RPI2 37.99 83.26 (b) average earnings3 46.86 102.68 The figures are not comparable with any current income support rates; supplementary benefit was structured and assessed in a completely different manner.
1 Under pension age and unemployed.
2 To April 1990.
3 New Series Index (Whole Economy) seasonally adjusted to April 1990.