§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the new rates of benefit proposed from April 1996. [3231]
§ Mr. LilleyAs usual, the annual uprating of social security benefits will take place in the first full week of the tax year. In 1996, this will be the week beginning on 8 April.
Expenditure on social security will be £90 billion in 1996–97, £93 billion in 1997–98 and £96 billion in 1998–99.
I have reviewed social security benefits in accordance with section 150 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992. My proposals, which are set out in the schedule, 617W will increase most of the major benefits in line with inflation. The statutory instruments to implement them will be laid before both Houses for debate. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland proposes to introduce similar changes for Northern Ireland.
All national insurance benefits will be uprated in line with the annual increase in the retail prices index up to September, which this year is 3.9 per cent.
Income-related benefits will generally rise by 3 per cent., in line with the Rossi index—RPI less certain housing costs.
As a first step in restructuring benefits for lone parents, one parent benefit and the income-related benefit lone parent premiums will not be increased in 1996.
Some key points of the 1996 increases are:
Retirement pension
The standard rate of retirement pension will be increased by £2.30 per week for a single person to £61.15 and by £3.65 per week for couples to £97.75.
618W
Schedule of main proposed Social Security benefits—April 1996 £ per week unless otherwise stated Old Rates 1995 New Rates 1996 Attendance Allowance higher rate 46.70 48.50 lower rate 31.20 32.40 Child Benefit —only, elder or eldest for whom child benefit is payable 10.40 10.80 —each subsequent child 8.45 8.80 Child's Special Allowance see note on child dependency increase 11.05 11.15 Council Tax Benefit Personal allowances single 18 to 24 36.80 37.90 25 or over 46.50 47.90 lone parent —18 or over 46.50 47.90 couple —one or both over 18 73.00 75.20 dependent children under 11 15.95 16.45 11 to 15 23.40 24.10 16 to 17 28.00 28.85 18 36.80 37.90 Premiums family 10.25 10.55 lone parent 11.50 11.50 pensioner single 18.60 19.15 couple 28.05 28.90 pensioner (enhanced) single 20.70 21.30 couple 30.95 31.90 Incapacity benefit
The basic rate of long term incapacity benefit will rise to £61.15 per week from £58.85, an increase of £2.30 per week.
Unemployment benefit
Unemployment benefit for a single person under pension age will rise from £46.45 to £48.25 per week.
Child benefit
Child benefit will again be raised in line with prices. For the first or eldest eligible child the weekly rate will increase from £10.40 to £10.80 and for each subsequent child the rate will rise from £8.45 to £8.80.
War pensions
War pensions will again be uprated fully in line with prices.
Non-dependant deductions
Increases will be made to deductions from housing-benefit, income support and council tax benefit in respect of non-dependant adults living in the claimant's home. The income thresholds will also be increased so that non-dependants can earn more before a higher deduction band takes effect.
619W
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Schedule of main proposed Social Security benefits—April 1996 £ per week unless otherwise stated Old Rates 1995 New Rates 1996 pensioner (higher) single 25.15 25.90 couple 35.95 37.05 disability single 19.80 20.40 couple 28.30 29.15 severe disability single 35.05 36.40 couple (one qualifies) 35.05 36.40 couple (both qualify) 70.10 72.80 disabled child 19.80 20.40 carer 12.60 13.00 Allowance for personal expenses for claimants in hospital higher rate 14.70 15.30 lower rate 11.75 12.25 Non-dependant deductions aged 18 or over and in remunerative work —gross income: £114 or more 2.30 2.60 —gross income: under £114 1.15 1.30 others, aged 18 or over 1.15 1.30 Alternative maximum council tax benefit second adult on Income Support 25 per cent. of CT second adult's gross income: —under £114 15 per cent. of CT —£114 to £149.99 7.5 per cent. of CT Capital upper limit 16,000.00 16,000.00 amount disregarded 3,000.00 3,000.00 child's limit 3,000.00 3,000.00 Tariff income £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit. Earnings disregards: where disability premium awarded 15.00 15.00 various specified employments 15.00 15.00 lone parent 25.00 25.00 where the claimant has a partner 10.00 10.00 single claimant 5.00 5.00 where carer premium awarded 15.00 15.00 childcare charges 40.00 60.00 Other income disregards: maintenance disregard 15.00 15.00 war disablement pension and war widow's pension 10.00 10.00 certain voluntary and charitable payments 10.00 20.00 student loan 10.00 10.00 student's covenanted income 5.00 5.00 income from boarders: disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50% of the balance of the charge 20.00 20.00 30 Hr Adult Allowance in DWA 10.00 10.30 30 Hr Adult Credit in FC 10.00 10.30 Expenses for subtenants furnished or unfurnished 4.00 4.00 where heating is included, additional 9.20 9.25 Dependency Increases Adult dependency increases For spouse or person looking after children, with; retirement pension on own insurance, long term incap. benefit, unemployability supplement and, if beneficiary over pension age, unemployment benefit 35.25 36.60 622W 623W
Schedule of main proposed Social Security benefits—April 1996 £ per week unless otherwise stated Old Rates 1995 New Rates 1996 severe disablement allowance 21.15 21.95 invalid care allowance 21.10 21.90 short-term incap. benefit if beneficiary over pension age 33.85 35.15 unemployment benefit 28.65 29.75 maternity allowance / short-term incap. ben. 27.50 28.55 child dependency increases, with; retirement pension, widows benefit, short term incap ben. at the higher rate and long term incap. ben. invalid care allowance severe disab. allowce, higher rate industrial death benefit, unemployability supplement and short-term incap.ben./unemployment benefit if beneficiary over pension age 11.05 11.15 NB —The Overlapping Benefits Regulations provide for the rate of child dependency increases, guardian's allowance and child special allowance to be adjusted where the increase or allowance is payable for the eldest eligible child for whom Chb is also payable. The weekly rate of the increase or allowance is reduced by the differential (less the 75p derived from the Oct 1991 increase in Chb) between the rate of Chb payable for the oldest eligible child and that payable for a subsequent child. This gives a rate of £9.85 (1995) and £9.90 (1996). Disability Living Allowance Care component Highest 46.70 48.50 Middle 31.20 32.40 Lowest 12.40 12.90 Mobility component Higher 32.65 33.90 Lower 12.40 12.90 Disability Working Allowance Adult allowance Single people 46.85 48.25 Couples/lone parents 73.40 75.60 30 hours allowance. Child allowance 10.00 10.30 under 11 11.40 11.75 11 to 15 18.90 19.45 16 to 17 23.45 24.15 18 32.80 33.80 Applicable amount (ie taper threshold) Single people 54.75 56.40 Couples/lone parents 73.00 75.2 Disabled child's allowance 19.80 20.40 Capital upper limit 16,000.00 16,000.00 amount disregarded 3,000.00 3,000.00 child's limit 3,000.00 3,000.00 Tariff income £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit Disregards: maintenance disregard 15.00 15.00 war disablement pension and war widow's pension 10.00 10.00 certain voluntary and charitable payments 10.00 20.00 student loan 10.00 10.00 student's covenanted income 5.00 5.00 Income from boarders: disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50 per cent. of the balance of the charge 20.00 20.00 child care charges 40.00 60.00 Expenses for subtenants furnished or unfurnished 4.00 4.00 where heating is included, additional 9.20 9.25 624W 625W
Schedule of main proposed Social Security benefits—April 1996 £ per week unless otherwise stated Old Rates 1995 New Rates 1996 Earnings Rules Invalid care allowance 50.00 50.00 Unemployment benefit (daily rate) 2.00 2.00 Unemployment benefit (maximum weekly amount) 58.00 61.00 Therapeutic earnings limit 44.00 45.50 Industrial injuries unemployability supplement permitted earnings level (annual amount) 2,288.00 2,366.00 War pensioners' unemployability supplement permitted earnings level (annual amount) 2,288.00 2,366.00 Adult dependency increases with short-term incap.benefit where claimant is (a) under pension age 27.50 28.55 (b) over pension age 33.85 35.15 maternity allowance 27.50 28.55 unemployment benefit where claimant is (a) under pension age 28.65 29.75 (b) over pension age 35.25 36.60 retirement pension, long-term incap. ben., severe disablement allowance, unemployability supplement where dependent: (a) is living with claimant 46.45 48.25 (b) still qualifies for the tapered earnings rule 45.09 45.09 retirement pension, long-term incap benefit and unemployability supplement where dependant not living with claimant 35.25 36.60 severe disablement allowance where dependant not living with claimant 21.15 21.95 invalid care allowance 21.10 21.90 Child dependency increases level at which CDIs are affected by earnings of claimant's spouse or partner: for first child 125.00 130.00 for each subsequent child 16.00 17.00 Family Credit Adult credit 45.10 46.45 Adult credit for working 30 hrs+ pw. 10.00 10.30 Child credit under 11 11.40 11.75 11 to 15 18.90 19.45 16 to 17 23.45 24.15 18 32.80 33.80 Applicable amount (ie taper threshold) 73.00 75.20 Capital upper limit 8,000.00 8,000.00 amount disregarded 3,000.00 3,000.00 child's limit 3,000.00 3,000.00 Tariff income £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit Disregards maintenance disregard 15.00 15.00 war disablement pension and war widow's pension 10.00 10.00 certain voluntary and charitable payments 10.00 20.00 student loan 10.00 10.00 student's covenanted income 5.00 5.00 626W 627W
Schedule of main proposed Social Security benefits—April 1996 £ per week unless otherwise stated Old Rates 1995 New Rates 1996 income from boarders: disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50% of the balance of the charge 20.00 20.00 childcare charges 40.00 60.00 Expenses for subtenants furnished or unfurnished 4.00 4.00 where heating is included, additional 9.20 9.25 Guardian's Allowance 11.05 11.15 see note on child dependency increase Hospital Downrating 20 per cent, rate 11.75 12.25 40 per cent, rate 23.50 24.50 Housing Benefit Personal allowances single 16 to 24 36.80 37.90 25 or over 46.50 47.90 lone parent under 18 36.80 37.90 18 or over 46.50 47.90 couple both under 18 55.55 57.20 one or both over 18 73.00 75.20 dependent children under 11 15.95 16.45 11 to 15 23.40 24.10 16 to 17 28.00 28.85 18 36.80 37.90 Premiums family 10.25 10.55 lone parent 11.50 11.50 pensioner single 18.60 19.15 couple 28.05 28.90 pensioner (enhanced) single 20.70 21.30 couple 30.95 31.90 pensioner (higher) single 25.15 25.90 couple 35.95 37.05 disability single 19.80 20.40 couple 28.30 29.15 severe disability single 35.05 36.40 couple (one qualifies) 35.05 36.40 couple (both qualify) 70.10 72.80 disabled child 19.80 20.40 carer 12.60 13.00 Allowance for personal expenses for claimants in hospital higher rate 14.70 15.30 628W 629W
Schedule of main proposed Social Security benefits—April 1996 £ per week unless otherwise stated Old Rates 1995 New Rates 1996 lower rate 11.75 12.25 Non-dependant deductions rent rebates and allowances aged 25 and over, in receipt of income support aged 18 or over, not in remunerative work or —gross income under £76 5.00 6.00 aged 18 or over and in remunerative work: —gross income: £76 to £113.99 10.00 12.00 —gross income: £114 to £149.99 14.00 16.00 —gross income: £150 or more 30.00 32.00 Service charges for fuel heating 9.20 9.25 hot water 1.10 1.15 lighting 0.75 0.80 cooking 1.10 1.15 Amount ineligible for meals —three or more meals a day single claimant 16.60 17.10 each person in family aged 16 or over 16.60 17.10 each child under 16 8.40 8.65 —less than three meals a day single claimant 11.00 11.35 each person in family aged 16 or over 11.00 11.35 each child under 16 5.55 5.70 —breakfast only—claimant and each member of family 2.00 2.05 Capital upper limit 16,000.00 16,000.00 amount disregarded 3,000.00 3,000.00 child's limit 3,000.00 3,000.00 Tariff income £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit Earnings disregards where disability premium awarded 15.00 15.00 various specified employments 15.00 15.00 lone parent 25.00 25.00 where the claimant has a partner 10.00 10.00 single claimant 5.00 5.00 where carer premium awarded 15.00 15.00 childcare charges 40.00 60.00 Other income disregards maintenance disregard 15.00 15.00 war disablement pension and war widow's pension 10.00 10.00 certain voluntary and charitable payments 10.00 20.00 student loan 10.00 10.00 student's covenanted income 5.00 5.00 income from boarders: disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50 per cent. of the balance of the charge 20.00 20.00 30 Hr Adult Allowance in DWA 10.00 10.30 30 Hr Adult Credit in FC 10.00 10.30 Expenses for subtenants furnished or unfurnished 4.00 4.00 where heating is included, additional 9.20 9.25 Incapacity Benefit Long-term incapacity benefit 58.85 61.15 630W 631W
Schedule of main proposed Social Security benefits—April 1996 £ per week unless otherwise stated Old Rates 1995 New Rates 1996 Short-term incapacity benefit (under pension age) lower rate 44.40 46.15 higher rate 52.50 54.55 Short-term incapacity benefit (over pension age) lower and higher rate 56.45 58.65 Increase of long-term incap. ben for age higher rate 12.40 12.90 lower rate 6.20 6.45 Invalidity allowance (transitional) higher rate 12.40 12.90 middle rate 7.80 8.10 lower rate 3.90 4.05 Income support Personal allowances single under 18 —usual rate 28.00 28.85 under 18 —higher rate payable in specific circumstances 36.80 37.90 18 to 24 36.80 37.90 25 or over 46.50 47.90 lone parent under 18 —usual rate 28.00 28.85 under 18 —higher rate payable in specific circumstances 36.80 37.90 18 or over 46.50 47.90 couple both under 18 55.55 57.20 one or both 18 or over 73.00 75.20 dependent children under 11 15.95 16.45 11 to 15 23.40 24.10 16 to 17 28.00 28.85 18 36.80 37.90 Residential allowance except Greater London 51.00 54.00 Greater London 57.00 60.00 Premiums family 10.25 10.55 lone parent 5.20 5.20 pensioner single 18.60 19.15 couple 28.05 28.9 pensioner (enhanced) single 20.70 21.30 couple 30.95 31.90 pensioner (higher) single 25.15 25.90 couple 35.95 37.05 disability single 19.80 20.40 couple 28.30 29.15 severe disability single 35.05 36.40 632W 633W
Schedule of main proposed Social Security benefits—April 1996 £ per week unless otherwise stated Old Rates 1995 New Rates 1996 couple (one qualifies) 35.05 36.40 couple (both qualify) 70.10 72.80 disabled child 19.80 20.40 carer 12.60 13.00 Maximum amounts for accommodation and meals in residential care homes old age 197.00 203.00 very dependent elderly 227.00 234.00 mental disorder (not handicap) 207.00 214.00 drug / alchohol dependence 207.00 214.00 mental handicap 237.00 244.00 physical disablement (a) (under pension age) 267.00 276.00 (b) (over pension age) 197.00 203.00 others 197.00 203.00 maximum Greater London increase 34.00 38.00 nursing homes mental disorder (not handicap) 296.00 304.00 drug / alchohol dependence 296.00 304.00 mental handicap 301.00 310.00 terminal illness 295.00 303.00 physical disablement (a) (under pension age) 331.00 341.00 (b) (over pension age) 295.00 303.00 others (including elderly) 295.00 303.00 maximum Greater London increase 39.00 43.00 Amounts for meals where these cannot be purchased within the accommodation (Daily rate) breakfast 1.10 1.10 midday meal 1.55 1.55 evening meal 1.55 1.55 Allowances for personal expenses for claimants in: private and voluntary residential care and nursing homes personal expenses dependent children 13.35 13.75 (a) under 11 5.50 5.65 (b) 11 to 15 8.00 8.25 (c) 16 to 17 9.25 9.55 (d) age 18 13.35 13.75 Allowances for personal expenses for claimants in: hospital higher rate 14.70 15.30 lower rate 11.75 12.25 local authority (part III) accommodation 13.35 13.75 the Polish home Ilford Park maximum amount for accommodation and meals 331.00 341.00 personal expenses for claimant 17.35 17.35 personal expenses for partner 17.35 17.35 personal expenses for dep children (a) under 11 5.50 5.65 (b) 11 to 15 8.00 8.25 (c) 16 to 17 9.25 9.55 (d) 18 15.55 15.55 634W 635W
Schedule of main proposed Social Security benefits—April 1996 £ per week unless otherwise stated Old Rates 1995 New Rates 1996 Housing costs deduction for non-dependants aged 25 and over, in receipt of Income Support aged 18 or over, not in work or —gross income under £76 5.00 6.00 aged 18 or over and in remunerative work: —gross income: £76 to £113.99 10.00 12.00 —gross income: £114 to £149.99 14.00 16.00 —gross income: £150 or more 30.00 32.00 Deduction for direct payments arrears of housing, fuel and water costs council tax and fines default, and deductions for child maintenance 2.35 2.40 Arrears of community charge court order against claimant 2.35 2.40 court order against couple 3.70 3.80 Maximium rates for recovery of overpayments ordinary overpayments 7.05 7.20 where claimant convicted of fraud 9.20 9.60 Reduction in benefit for strikers 25.00 26.00 Capital upper limit 8,000.00 8,000.00 amount disregarded 3,000.00 3,000.00 child's limit 3,000.00 3,000.00 Tariff income £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit Disregards standard earnings 5.00 5.00 higher earnings 15.00 15.00 war disablement pension and war widow's pension 10.00 10.00 voluntary and charitable payments 10.00 20.00 student loan 10.00 10.00 student's covenanted income 5.00 5.00 income from boarders: disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50 per cent. of the balance of the charge 20.00 20.00 Expenses for subtenants furnished or unfurnished 4.00 4.00 where heating is included, additional 9.20 9.25 Industrial Death Benefit Widow's pension higher rate 58.85 61.15 lower rate 17.66 18.35 Industrial Disablement Pension 18 and over, or under 18 with dependants 100 per cent. 95.30 99.00 90 per cent. 85.77 89.10 80 per cent. 76.24 79.20 70 per cent. 66.71 69.30 60 per cent. 57.18 59.40 50 per cent. 47.65 49.50 40 per cent. 38.12 39.60 30 per cent. 28.59 29.70 20 per cent. 19.06 19.80 Under 18 100 per cent. 58.35 60.65 90 per cent. 52.52 54.59 80 per cent. 46.68 48.52 70 per cent. 40.85 42.46 636W 637W
Schedule of main proposed Social Security benefits—April 1996 £ per week unless otherwise stated Old Rates 1995 New Rates 1996 60 per cent. 35.01 36.39 50 per cent. 29.18 30.33 40 per cent. 23.34 24.26 30 per cent. 17.51 18.20 20 per cent. 11.67 12.13 Maximum life gratuity (lump sum) 6,330.00 6,580.00 Unemployability Supplement 58.85 61.15 plus where appropriate an increase for early incapacity higher rate 12.40 12.90 middle rate 7.80 8.10 lower rate 3.90 4.05 Maximum reduced earnings allowance 38.12 39.60 Maximum retirement allowance 9.53 9.90 Constant attendance allowance exceptional rate 76.40 79.40 intermediate rate 57.30 59.55 normal maximum rate 38.20 39.70 part-time rate 19.10 19.85 Exceptionally severe disablement allowance 38.20 39.70 Invalid Care Allowance 35.25 36.60 Maternity Allowance Lower rate 45.55 47.35 Higher rate 52.50 54.55 One Parent Benefit 6.30 6.30 Pneumoconiosis, Byssinosis, Workmen's Compensation (Supplementation) and other Schemes Total disablement allowance and major incapacity allowance (maximum) 95.30 99.00 Partial disablement allowance 35.25 36.60 Unemployability supplement 58.85 61.15 plus where appropriate increases for early incapacity higher rate 12.40 12.90 middle rate 7.80 8.10 lower rate 3.90 4.05 Constant attendance allowance exceptional rate 76.40 79.40 intermediate rate 57.30 59.55 normal maximum rate 38.20 39.70 part-time rate 19.10 19.85 Exceptionally severe disablement allowance 38.20 39.70 Lesser incapacity allowance maximum rate of allowance 35.25 36.60 based on loss of earnings over 46.70 48.50 Retirement Pension Category A or B 58.85 61.15 Category B (lower) —husband's insurance 35.25 36.60 Category C or D —non-contributory 35.25 36.60 Category C(lower) —non-contributory 21.10 21.90 638W 639W
Schedule of main proposed Social Security benefits—April 1996 £ per week unless otherwise stated Old Rates 1995 New Rates 1996 Additional pension Increase by 3.90 per cent. Increments to:— Basic and additional pensions Increase by 3.90 per cent. Contracted out deductions (CODs): (Pre April 1988 earnings) Increase by 3.90 per cent. (Post April 1988 earnings) Increase by *0.90 per cent. Graduated Retirement Benefit (GRB) Increase by 3.90 per cent. * 3 per cent. paid by scheme Graduated retirement benefit (unit)(pence) 7.64 7.94 Graduated retirement benefit (Inherited) Increase by 3.90 per cent. Addition at age 80 0.25 0.25 Severe Disablement Allowance Basic rate 35.55 36.95 Age-related addition (from Dec 90) Higher rate 12.40 12.90 Middle rate 7.80 8.10 Lower rate 3.90 4.05 Social Fund Maternity payment 100.00 100.00 Cold weather payments 8.50 8.50 Capital limit aged under 60 500.00 500.00 aged 60 and over 1,000.00 1,000.00 Statutory Maternity Pay Earnings threshold 58.00 61.00 Lower rate 52.50 54.55 Statutory Sick Pay Earnings threshold 58.00 61.00 Standard rate 52.50 54.55 Unemployment Benefit Over pension age 58.85 61.15 Under pension age 46.45 48.25 Occupational pension abatement 35.00 35.00 War Pensions Disablement pension (100 per cent. rates) private 101.10 105.00 officer (£ per annum) 5,275.00 5,479.00 Age allowances 40 per cent.–50 per cent. 6.75 7.00 over 50 per cent. but not over 70 per cent. 10.40 10.80 over 70 per cent. but not over 90 per cent. 14.85 15.45 over 90 per cent. 20.80 21.60 Disablement gratuity (base figures for calculation purposes only) specified minor injury 6,330.00 6,580.00 unspecified minor injury 3,481.50 3,619.00 Unemployability allowance personal adult dependency increase 62.45 64.90 adult dependency increase 35.25 36.60 a. increase for first child 9.85 9.90 b. increase for subsequent children 11.05 11.15 640W 641W
Schedule of main proposed Social Security benefits—April 1996 £ per week unless otherwise stated Old Rates 1995 New Rates 1996 Invalidity allowance higher rate 12.40 12.90 middle rate 7.80 8.10 lower rate 3.90 4.05 Constant attendance allowance exceptional rate 76.40 79.40 intermediate rate 57.30 59.55 normal maximum rate 38.20 39.70 part-time rate 19.10 19.85 Comforts allowance higher rate 16.40 17.00 lower rate 8.20 8.50 Mobility supplement 36.35 37.75 Allowance for lowered standard of occupation (maximum) 38.12 39.60 Exceptionally severe disablement allowance 38.20 39.70 Severe disablement occupational allowance 19.10 19.85 Clothing allowance (£ per annum) higher rate 129.00 134.00 lower rate 82.00 85.00 Education allowance 120.00 120.00 (£ per annum) (maximum) War widow's pension Widow (private) 76.35 79.35 Widow (NCO) 76.60 79.60 Widow—Officer (£ p.a. maximum) 4,723.00 4,907.00 Childless widow under 40 (private) 17.66 18.35 Childless widow (NCO) 17.93 18.63 Childless widow (Officer maximum £s p.a.) 4,723.00 4,907.00 Supplementary Pension age allowance 49.77 51.71 (a) age 65–69 8.70 9.05 (b) age 70–79 16.75 17.40 (c) age 80 and over 24.95 25.90 children's allowance a. increase for first child (adjusted for ChB increase) 14.00 14.10 b. increase for subsequent children 15.20 15.35 Orphan's pension a. increase for first child (adjusted for ChB increase) 15.65 15.85 b. increase for subsequent children 16.85 17.10 Unmarried dependant living as spouse (maximum) 74.30 77.30 Rent allowance (maximum) 28.85 30.00 Adult orphan's pension (maximum) 58.85 61.15 Widower's pension (i) Private (maximum) 76.35 79.35 (ii) officer (£ per annum) maximum 4,723.00 4,907.00 Widow's Benefit Widow's payment (lump sum) 1,000.00 1,000.00 Widowed mother's allowance 58.85 61.15 Widow's pension standard rate 58.85 61.15 age-related age 54 (49) 54.73 56.87 age 53 (48) 50.61 52.59
Schedule of main proposed Social Security benefits—April 1996 £ per week unless otherwise stated Old Rates 1995 New Rates 1996 age 52 (47) 46.49 48.31 age 51 (46) 42.37 44.03 age 50 (45) 38.25 39.75 age 49 (44) 34.13 35.47 age 48 (43) 30.01 31.19 age 47 (42) 25.89 26.91 age 46 (41) 21.77 22.63 age 45 (40) 17.66 18.35 Note: For deaths occurring before 11 April 1988 refer to age points shown in brackets.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy when details of the April 1996 benefit uprating are released to list(a) for each benefit and each capital or income limit which is not to be increased in April 1996, the reasons for not doing so and (b) the current value of each such benefit or limit and the value which would have resulted from increasing it in line with prices and average earnings since it was last increased or since it was introduced. [1089]
§ Mr. BurtNo. The announcement of benefit rates from April 1996 is in a similar format to previous years.