§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures similar to those in his answer to the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Ms Ruddock) of 25 January,Official Report, column 186, on unemployment benefit, showing the value of income support for a couple with two children under the age of 11 years giving figures for April and using estimates for April prices.
§ Mr. BurtThe available information is in the table. It shows that, since 1988, the level of income support as a proportion of full-time adult earnings has fallen but that its value in real terms has risen. In the period covered by the table, average earnings have risen faster than prices. Similar information on supplementary benefit is not readily available.
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Total is £ Average real value of benefit at April 1993 prices over the period £ Equivalent value of benefit at April 1993 prices at date of uprating £ As a percentage of all adults average earnings % October 1991 98.15 102.98 103.62 33.4 April 1992 105.00 107.47 108.13 34.5 April 1993 108.75 107.99 108.75 34.3 Notes:
1. Source: Abstract of Statistics for Social Security Benefits and Contributions and the Indices of Retail Prices and Average Earnings; Social Security Statistics.
2. Earnings are derived from the Employment Departments New Earnings Survey estimates of all adult, full time, earnings.
3. Real value comparisons have been made using the Retail Prices Index of all items excluding certain housing costs (ROSSI).
4. Income Support was introduced in April 1988. Estimates for entitlement to Supplementary Benefit (which was replaced by Income Support) are difficult as assessment varied with personal circumstance. For example, in addition to the ages of any children, household status, accommodation type, health and other factors were all relevant.