§ Mr. Alan SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of(a) the cost to her Department and (b) the numbers gaining, if the costs of travel-to-work were disregarded in full for claimants of (i) income support, (ii) jobseeker's allowance, (iii) housing benefit and (iv) council tax benefit; and what is her estimate of the costs and numbers gaining if such costs were subject to a taper of (X) 70 per cent. and (Y) 50 per cent. for costs exceeding the level of the disregard. [2967]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyOur objective is to reduce poverty and welfare dependency and to promote work incentives. One of our first steps will be to help people off welfare and into work.
The information is in the table.