Minimum Wage (Hansard, 17 July 2003)

§ Mr. Pond

Families with children are eligible for the Child Tax Credit whether or not they are in work and as long as family income does not exceed certain maxima. In addition, workers with children or a disability can claim Working Tax Credit if they work at least 16 hours a week, and workers over 25 can claim if they are working at least 30 hours a week where family income is below certain levels. All families with children are also entitled to Child Benefit.

From October 2003, the Working Tax Credit guarantees a minimum income of £241 a week for a family with one child and one earner working full-time on the National Minimum Wage and £187 a week for a single earner couple without children or a disability, aged 25 or over and working full-time on the National Minimum Wage.

Individuals and families where the sole earner works less than 16 hours per week and receives the national minimum wage may be entitled to receive Jobseeker's Allowance or Income Support, or Incapacity Benefit, in addition to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit may also be payable to people in full-time work on low income grounds.

People who receive either Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and satisfy the relevant conditions of entitlement may also be entitled to free milk and vitamins, free school meals and payments to assist prison visits. They are also entitled to help with National Health Service charges, optical costs and travel costs to hospital for NHS treatment. Families on a low income may also be entitled to help with these costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Certain recipients of Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit are also eligible for help with these costs, and certain recipients of Child Tax Credit are eligible for free school meals.

People receiving Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit with a disability element and have an annual income of less than £13,896 may also be able to get assistance with the costs of visiting a close family member or partner who is being held in prison.

Receipt of Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance also gives people access to the Social Fund.

A variety of local government schemes and benefits are also available to people onlow incomes. Details of these schemes are not collected centrally.