§ Mr. ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many children will benefit from this April's increase in child benefit in(a) the Medway towns and (b) Chatham and Aylesford. [75554]
§ 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.
Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Jonathan Shaw, dated 9 March 1999:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Peter Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many children will benefit from this April's increase in child benefit in (a) the Medway towns and (b) Chatham and Aylesford. As Mr. Mathison is away from the office on leave, I am replying.Unfortunately the information to identify families, by region, who are receiving Child Benefit is not readily available. 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 1998 budget, plus uprating. This is an overall increase of £3.25 for a family with two children.I am sorry I could not be of more help on this occasion.
§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families in(a) the Tamworth constituency and (b) Staffordshire will receive the increase in child benefit. [75656]
§ 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.
255WLetter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Brian Jenkins, dated 9 March 1999:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Peter Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many families in (a) the Tamworth constituency and (b) Staffordshire will receive the increase in child benefit. As Mr Mathison is away from the office on leave, I am replying.Unfortunately the information to identify families, by region, who are receiving Child Benefit is not readily available. 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 1998 budget, plus uprating. This is an overall increase of £3.25 for a family with two children.I am sorry I could not be of more help on this occasion.