§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would have been the gross additional cost, in cash terms and at 1991–92 prices, of uprating child benefit fully in line with inflation assuming each child in the family receives the same rate, in April of each year from 1988 to 1992.
§ Mr. Jack[holding answer 27 February 1992]: In 1992–93 we estimate that gross expenditure on child benefit will be £5.7 billion. If child benefit had been uprated each April from 1988 in line with the retail prices index, the rate payable for each child from April 1992 would be £9.95. It is estimated that to pay child benefit at this rate in 1992–93 would cost an additional £720 million gross or £470 million net, after allowing for the normal adjustments to other benefits. The extra help that has been made available to less well-off families since 1988 through the income-related benefits will be worth around £620 million in 1992–93.