HC Deb 16 February 1996 vol 271 cc724-5W
Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update his answer to the hon. Member for Peckhan (Ms Hannan) of 5 March 1993,Official Report, column 335, on an allowance for working mothers. [14403]

Mr. Jack

Estimates of the cost of introducing allowances against taxable incomes for working mothers and lone parents in 1995–96 are set out in the table. The first year cost would depend on how the measure was implemented.

Cost (£ billion)
Allowance of:
(a) £1,000 per year (b) £2,000 per year
All working mothers1 0.7 1.3
All working mothers with a child under 51 0.2 0.4
1 Including lone parents who are working.

The estimates are based on information projected from the 1993 family expenditure survey and are therefore provisional.