HC Deb 26 October 1998 vol 318 cc29-30W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will ensure that widowed mother's allowance, including the increases for children, is uprated in line with prices in 1999. [56018]

Angela Eagle

The rates of all benefits, including Widowed Mother's Allowance, Child Dependency Increases and Child Benefit, are reviewed annually.

From next April, in addition to normal uprating, the standard rate of Child Benefit for an eldest child will be increased by an extra £2.50 a week.

Child benefit and widowed mother's allowance child dependency increase for the first child
Uprating date Cash paid £ per week Cash as a percentage of average earnings at each uprating date Real value at April 1998 prices £ per week Real value as percentage of average earnings at April 1998
November 1979 11.10 11.0 29.95 7.7
November 1980 12.25 10.2 28.67 7.4
November 1981 12.95 9.8 27.07 7.0
November 1982 13.80 9.7 27.15 7.0
November 1983 14.10 9.0 26.45 6.8
November 1984 14.50 8.7 25.92 6.7
November 1985 15.05 8.4 25.51 6.6
July 1986 15.15 8.0 25.26 6.5
April 1987 15.30 7.7 24.44 6.3
April 1988 15.65 7.2 24.05 6.2
April 1989 16.20 6.8 23.05 6.0
April 1990 16.90 6.4 21.97 5.7
April 1991 17.95 6.3 21.93 5.7
October 1991 18.95 6.5 22.81 5.9
April 1992 19.40 6.4 22.73 5.9
April 1993 19.80 6.2 22.90 5.9
April 1994 20.00 6.1 22.55 5.8
April 1995 20.25 6.0 22.10 5.7
April 1996 20.70 5.9 21.79 5.7
April 1997 20.95 5.7 21.35 5.6
April 1998 21.35 5.5 21.35 5.5

Child benefit and widowed mother's allowance child dependency increase for subsequent children
Uprating date Amount paid £ per week Cash as a perentage of average earnings at each uprating date Real value at April 1998 prices £ per week Real value as percentage of average earnings at April 1998
April 1991 17.95 6.3 21.93 5.7
October 1991 18.20 6.2 21.90 5.7
April 1992 18.65 6.1 21.85 5.6
April 1993 19.05 6.0 22.03 5.7
April 1994 19.25 5.9 21.71 5.6
April 1995 19.50 5.8 21.28 5.5
April 1996 19.95 5.7 21.26 5.5
April 1997 20.20 5.5 21.01 5.4
April 1998 20.60 5.3 20.60 5.3

Notes:

1. The average earnings of full time adult employees was calculated using the New Earnings Survey and Average Earnings Index, both produced by the Office for National Statistics.

2. The Retail Prices Index (all items) was used to put Child Benefit and Widowed Mother's Allowance child dependency addition into real terms as at April 1998. This was then compared with the provisional average earnings for April 1998 to give the percentage quoted.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the combined value of child dependency addition and child benefit for the child of a widowed mother(a) in cash terms, (b) in real terms and (c) as a percentage of average earnings in November 1979 and at each subsequent uprating date. [56017]

Angela Eagle

The information is in the tables.