HC Deb 31 October 1994 vol 248 cc906-7W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the combined value of child dependency addition and child benefit for the child of a widow or invalidity pensioner at current and April 1994 prices and as a percentage of average earnings in November 1979 and at each subsequent uprating date.

Mr. Burt

The information is in the tables.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the level of unemployment benefit in each year since 1979 expressed as a proportion of average male earnings in the same years.

Mr. Roger Evans

The information is set out in the table.

Single rate unemployment benefit £ As a percentage of average male earnings per cent.
November 1979 18.50 16.2
November 1980 20.65 15.3
November 1981 22.50 15.1
November 1982 25.00 15.6
November 1983 27.05 15.7
November 1984 28.45 15.2
November 1985 30.45 15.3
July 1986 30.80 14.6
April 1987 31.45 14.0
April 1988 32.75 13.3
April 1989 34.70 12.9
April 1990 37.35 12.6
April 1991 41.40 13.0
April 1992 43.10 12.7
April 1993 44.65 12.6
April 1994 45.45 12.4

Notes:

  1. 1. Average earnings are taken from males all occupations (New Earnings Survey).
  2. 2. Percentages are rounded to one decimal point.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his current calculation of the amount of(a) the basic pension, (b) the Christmas bonus and (c) child benefit allowance had they been increased since 1979 by (i) increase in prices and (ii) increase in earnings.

Mr. Arbuthnot

The information is in the table.

Value at November 1979 £ Current value if increased in line with prices £ Current value if increased in line with average earnings £
Basic retirement pension 23.30 55.70 74.75
Christmas bonus 10.00 23.95 32.15
Child benefit 4.00 9.45 12.80

Notes:

  1. 1. Figures have been rounded to two decimal places.
  2. 2. In each step of the calculation the benefit has been rounded to the nearest 5 pence.
  3. 3. The retail prices index (all items) as published by Central Statistical Office has been used.
  4. 4. The average earnings index (whole economy unadjusted) as published by the Employment Department has been used to calculate the earnings upratings.