§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what savings he estimates have accrued to the Exchequer each year since each of the following measures was introduced, both in current prices and at 1991 prices:(a) the abolition of earnings-related supplement to unemployment benefit, (b) the taxation of unemployment benefit, (c) the abolition of the child additions to unemployment benefit, (d) the abolition of the lower rate unemployment benefits, (e) the abatement of unemployment benefit for occupational pensions, (f) the extension from six to 26 weeks in the disqualification period, (g) the introduction of actively seeking work rules and restart interviews, (h) the reduced entitlement for students,(i) the full extent normal rule, and (j) the higher contributions conditions introduced in the Social Security Act 1988.
§ Mr. JackThe available information is set out in the table. Savings for each year since implementation cannot be calculated given the effects of other benefit changes and economic factors. Details of savings from the taxation of benefits, restart interviews and the full extent normal rule are not available.
Measure Estimated savings (£ million) in year of implementation Estimated savings in year of implementation at 1991 prices Abolition of earnings related supplement 390 695 Abolition of child dependency additions 3 5 Abolition of half/three quarter rates of UB1 20 26 Abatement of UB on account of an occupational pension 25 45 Extension from six to 13 weeks of the disqualification period 21 29 Extension from 13 to 26 weeks of the disqualification period 37 45 Actively seeking work2 100 115 Benefits for students restricted to summer vacation 9 12 Withdrawal of benefits for students 79 391 New contribution conditions 10 12 1 Unemployment benefit. 2 Estimated savings also take into account other changes to UB legislation made in the 1989 Social Security Act. 3 Revised estimated savings for first full financial year following implementation.