asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, pursuant to the reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe, on 11 March, Official Report, column 230, he will state the value of each of the benefits listed for a single person without dependants at 1986–87 prices in 1978–79 and 1986–87; if he will indicate those benefits which have increased by 30 per cent. in real terms; and if he will make a statement.
The table shows the average rates of the relevant benefits in constant 1986–87 prices. It should be stressed that the figures in the table relate to specified basic rates of benefit rather than to the average amount received by an individual sick or disabled person. The latter amount increased by roughtly 9 per cent. in real terms over the period; the figure of 30 per cent. relates to the proportion of the total increase in expenditure due to increases in average amounts rather than increases in numbers of beneficiaries.
| Average rates of benefit paid to a single person, 1978–79 and 1986–87 at 1986–87 prices | |||
| 1978–79 average £ | 1986–87 average £ | Percentage change 1978–79 to 1986–87 | |
| Invalidity Benefit | 35·35 | 38·55 | 9 |
| Sickness Benefit | 29·30 | 29·35 | 0·2 |
| Industrial Disablement Benefit (100% rate) | 57·85 | 62·95 | 9 |
| Attendance Allowance (Higher Rate) | 28·30 | 30·85 | 9 |
| Attendance Allowance (Lower rate) | 18·85 | 20·60 | 9 |
| Severe Disablement Allowance | 21·20 | 2315 | 9 |
| Mobility Allowance | 15·60 | 21·55 | 38 |
| Invalid Care Allowance | 21·20 | 23·15 | 9 |
| War disablement pension (100% rate, lowest rank) | 57·85 | 62·95 | 9 |
| Christmas Bonus1 | 19·45 | 1000 | -49 |
| Supplementary benefit2 | 28·90 | 29·70 | 3 |
| Standard housing benefit3 | 50·45 | 47·95 | -5 |
| 1 The comparison is between the Christmas bonus paid in December 1978 and that paid in December 1986. | |||
| 2 This comparison is between the average (1978–79 and 1986–87) ordinary scale rates for single householders used in calculating supplementary benefit entitlement both in 1986–87 prices. The structure of supplementary benefit is such that the scale rate is only an imprecise guide to the amount of benefit actually paid. | |||
| 3 The comparison is between the average 1978–79 and 1986–87 needs allowance for a single person. As for supplementary benefit, such a comparison is not an accurate guide to the amount of benefit actually paid. | |||
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated cost in benefits in a full year of unemployed school leavers between the ages of 16 and 18; and if he will make a statement.
I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide estimates of the numbers of (a) family income supplement recipients and (b) standard housing benefit recipients by earnings distribution using the following ranges of gross weekly earnings (i) below £80, (ii) £80 to £90, (iii) £90 to £100, (iv) £100 to £110, (v) £110 to £120 and (vi) above £120; and if he will indicate the average amount of benefit paid to those falling within each of these ranges.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.