HC Deb 13 June 2003 vol 406 cc387-8W
Mr. Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the rates of Unemployment Benefit/ Jobseekers Allowance (Contributions) were for a single claimant over the age of 25 in each year since 1979; and what those rates would have been had the benefit been uprated annually in line with the percentage increases in average earnings. [113933]

Malcolm Wicks

[holding answer 19 May 2003]The levels of social security benefits are reviewed each year and approved by Parliament. A range of factors is considered when reviewing benefit levels. As a contributory benefit Unemployment Benefit was uprated using the Retail Price Index. When Jobseekers Allowance was introduced in 1996 it was decided that both income-based and contribution-based Jobseekers Allowance would be uprated using the Rossi index.

The information requested is set out in the table.

Unemployment benefit/Jobseeker's Allowance (contributory) for a single claimant over 25
£ per week
Date of uprating Rate of Unemployment Benefit/Jobseeker's Allowance1 Value if 1978 amount had been uprated in line with average earnings2
November 1978 15.75 15.75
November 1979 18.50 18.75
November 1980 20.65 22.20
November 1981 22.50 24.80
November 1982 25.00 26.90
November 1983 27.05 29.20
November 1984 28.45 30.70
November 1985 30.45 33.35
July 1986 30.80 34.90
April 1987 31.45 36.80
April 1988 32.75 39.65
April 1989 34.70 43.20
April 1990 37.35 47.40
April 1991 41.40 51.85
April 1992 43.10 55.80
April 1993 44.65 58.40
April 1994 45.45 59.90
April 1995 46.45 61.90
April 1996 48.25 63.70
April 1997 49.15 66.30
April 1998 50.35 69.10
April 1999 51.40 72.40
April 2000 52.20 75.60
April 2001 53.05 78.60
April 2002 53.95 82.00
April2003 54.65 84.95
Source:
DWP Information Centre, Information and Analysis Directorate
Notes:
1. Jobseeker's Allowance replaced Unemployment Benefit on 7 October 1996.
2. Figures have been calculated by uprating the November 1978 value in line with the average earnings index for each year and have been rounded to the nearest 5 pence at each uprating.