§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of income support is the ceiling set by the Community Charges (Deductions from Income Support) (No. 2) Regulations 1990—SI 1990, No 545—for deductions ordered by courts for arrears of poll tax; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BurtThe regulations provide for an amount to be deducted equal to 5 per cent. of the income support personal allowance for a single claimant aged 25 years or more, currently £2.15 per week, or, in the case of a court order made against a couple, 5 per cent. of the income support personal allowance for a couple where both members are aged 18 years or over, currently £3.35 per week. It is not possible to say what proportion of an individual's income support these amounts represent, as entitlement varies from case to case.