§ Mrs. WiseTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the proposed family credit ceilings in 1996–97 for a family with(a) one child aged under five years, (b) two children aged under 11 years, (c) two children aged over 11 years, (d) three children aged under 11 years, (e) three children age over 11 years and (f) two children under 11 years and two children aged over 11 years. [8158]
§ Mr. Roger EvansAt the new benefit levels proposed for April 1996, the family credit ceilings represented by the highest amount of net earnings and other relevant income, including child benefit, a family can have and still qualify for family credit at the minimum payment of 50p will be as follows:
Parent working 16 to 29 hours per week £ Parent working 30 hours or more per week £ Family with one child under five years 168.43 183.14 Family with two children under 11 194.01 208.73 Family with two children over 11 (but under 16) 216.01 230.73 Family with three children under 11 219.60 234.31 Family with three children over 11 (but under 16) 252.60 267.31 Family with two children under 11 and two children over 11 (but under 16) 267.19 281.90 These ceilings may be increased by up to £15 where maintenance is received and by up to £60 where there are relevant child care expenses.
From October 1994, up to £40 a week per family in respect of formal child care charges incurred can be offset in the calculation of normal earnings for family credit. It applies where the care is for a child under 11 in the family of a lone parent or a couple where one is working and the other is incapacitated. This increases the potential ceilings still further.