§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the earnings disregards limits for means-tested benefits will be revised to take account of the announcement of minimum wage rates. [47732]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyI refer the hon. Friend to my written answer to the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) on 25 June 1998,Official Report, column 620.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will express the present earnings disregards limits for each means-tested benefit in terms of permitted hours of work under the proposed minimum wage rates. [47733]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyEarnings disregards rules achieve a balance: encouraging those people who wish to work to do some part-time work without creating a disincentive to take up full-time work, or increasing their dependency on benefit. The information requested is set out in the tables.
National minimum wage—basic rate Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-based) Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Amount of disregard £ Equivalent number of hours work Amount of disregard £ Equivalent number of hours work Single—all ages1 5 1.38 5 1.38 Couple3 10 2.77 10 2.77 Lone parent 15 4.16 25 6.94 With Disability or carer premium 15 4.16 15 4.16 Special Occupations2 15 4.16 n/a n/a Note:
Earnings disregards expressed in terms of hours of work at £3.60 per hour
118W
National minimum wage—youth rate Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-based) Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Amount of disregard (£) Equivalent number of hours work Amount of disregard (£) Equivalent number of hours work Single—all ages1 5 1.66 5 1.66 Couple3 10 3.33 10 3.33 Lone parent 15 5 25 8.33 With Disability or carer premium 15 5 15 5 Special Occupations2 15 5 n/a n/a Note:
Earnings disregards expressed in terms of hours of work at £3 per hour
National minimum wage—development rate Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-based) Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Amount of disregard (£) Equivalent number of hours work Amount of disregard (£) Equivalent number of hours work Single—all ages1 5 1.56 5 1.56 Couple3 10 3.12 10 3.12 Lone parent 15 4.68 25 7.81 With Disability or carer premium 15 4.68 15 4.68 Special Occupations2 15 4.68 n/a n/a 1Earnings disregard for a single person on Income Support/Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-Based) is as stated unless they are engaged in a special occupation 2 Special occupations are Auxiliary Coastguards, part-time members of the fire brigade maintained under current legislation, part-time manning or launching a lifeboat, members of the territorial or reserve forces 3 For Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-Based) a £15 disregard will be applied to couples if any of the other conditions apply regarding qualification for a £15 disregard i.e. if the claimant/partner is disabled or a carer Note:
Earnings disregards expressed in terms of hours of work at £3.20 per hour