§ Mr. Dennis TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of raising the children's rates in the various income-related benefits (in addition to normal indexation) by(a) £5 per week in October 2000 and (b) a further £5 per week in April 2001. [115492]
§ Mr. BayleyThe cost of introducing these increases in Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for children under 16, and those aged between 16-19 who remain in full-time non-advanced education, would be approximately £400 million in 2000–01 and £1.5 billion in 2001–02 (figures rounded to nearest £50 million).
These costs do not include the costs of any equivalent increases in working families tax credit but do include the impact that increases to working families tax credit would have on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.