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Child Benefit

Volume 995: debated on Tuesday 5 February 1980

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asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many families he estimates would have the right to opt for weekly payments of child benefit under the proposals contained in the draft Green Paper on payment of social security benefits.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the right hon. Member for Brent, East (Mr. Freeson) on 1 December and ask the hon. Member to await the consultative document.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportions of families currently cash their child benefit at intervals of (a) one, (b) two, (c) three and (d) four weeks or more.

In June 1980 estimated proportions for all families were (a) 45 per cent., (b) 19 per cent., (c) 8 per cent. and (d) 28 per cent. If large families and those receiving child benefit (increase), family income supplement and supplementary benefit are excluded the estimates for weekly encashment drop significantly.Encashment patterns are only an approximate guide to the appropriate period for paying benefits; and market research carried out in August 1979 indicated that nearly 70 per cent. of mothers would find it "very easy" or "fairly easy" to manage if child benefit were paid four-weekly.