HC Deb 11 February 1999 vol 325 cc383-5W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research his Department has commissioned on the financial effect on families of the additional family credit benefits paid to those who work 30 hours or more. [69850]

Angela Eagle

There has been no research commissioned specifically to examine the financial impact of the 30 hour credit on couple family finances. However, starting in 1991 the Department has carried out a series of surveys as part of the Programme of Research into Low Income Families (PRILIF).

The first survey, in 1991, included couple and lone parent families. Since that time the focus has been on lone parents. One of the key objectives of this research has been to explore the impact of Family Credit on lone parent family finances in relation to work. The report "Lone Parents on the Margins of Work", published in the Estimates based on a 5 per cent. sample of FC recipients and the 1995–6 Family Resources Survey uprated to 1999–2000 prices.

Estimates assume no restoration of earnings differentials above the minimum wage and no employment effects.

Analysis shows that partners earnings may also increase on introduction of the minimum wage.

Ms Buck

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the effect of the introduction of the minimum wage on the number of disability working allowance claimants with gross weekly earnings of(a) under £40, (b) £40 to £79.99, (c) £80 to £119.99, (d) £120 to £159.99, (e) £160 to £199.99, (f) £200 to £249.99, (g) £250 to £300 and (h) £300 and over. [69752]

Mr. Bayley

The information is in the table.

Department's Research Series in 1998, used data from the 1994 survey of lone parents' to make a preliminary estimate of the likely impact of the 30 hour credit on incentives to work among lone parents. 1These data were collected prior to the introduction of the 30 hour credit in Family Credit.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average family credit award in 1997–98 in the Portsmouth area. [69687]

Angela Eagle

A complete set of data for the whole of 1997–1998 will not be available until April 1999. The latest information is for August 1998 at which time the average award of Family Credit in the Portsmouth Local Authority District was £59.80 per week.

Note:

Figure is based on a 5 per cent. sample of all Family Credit awards and as such is subject to a degree of sampling error.

Source:

Family Credit Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, August 1998.