§ Mr. McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the most recent figures to date, and over the most recently available 12-month period, of those couples who are eligible under the current £15 earnings disregard rule; and, where the claimant has been unemployed for two years or more,(a) how many have declared earnings from part-time employment of less than £15 per week and (b) how many have had their income support payments abated because their earnings from part-time employment have exceeded £15 per week.
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe information is not available in the form requested. The number of couples who are eligible for the £15 disregard is in the table:
747W
All cases No disability premium in payment Disability premium in payment All Cases 31,000 25,000 6,000 Joint Part Time Earnings for: up to £15.00 11,000 9,000 2,000 Over £15.00 20,000 16,000 4,000 Source:
Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry - February 1994.