HC Deb 28 March 1994 vol 240 cc580-1W
20. Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what social security benefits are payable, and what other measures his Department is taking, to help working women.

26. Mr. Simon Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps his Department has taken to help women at work.

Mr. Hague

We have recently announced new measures which will particularly assist working women. About 150,000 families will benefit from the introduction in October 1994 of a disregard for child care in family credit which will be worth up to £28 a week. Improved maternity payments which take effect in July will benefit around 285,000 working women who give up work around the time of their baby's birth.

In addition, working women may be able to claim income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit depending on their hours of work and incomes, and child benefit and family credit if they have children.