§ Ms Rosie WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families in Doncaster Central, will receive the increase in child benefit, effective from April 1999. [66564]
§ Angela EagleThe administration of Child Benefit is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, Peter Mathison. He will write to my hon. Friend.
50WLetter from Peter Mathison to Ms Rosie Winterton, dated 21 January 1999:
I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many families in Doncaster Central will benefit from the increase in child benefit, effective from April 1999.Unfortunately the information is not readily available to identify families, by region, who are receiving Child Benefit. These figures could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.I can however explain the new rates of Child Benefit from April 1999. They will be £14.40 for the eldest child and £9.60 for each subsequent child. The increase for the eldest child includes the extra £2.50 a week announced in the March Budget, plus uprating. This is an overall increase of £3.25 for a family with two children.I am sorry on this occasion I could not be of more help but I am pleased to have the opportunity to comment.