---

National Insurance Contributions

Ms Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list changes in employee contribution National Insurance rates from 1979 to the present day. [59526]

Mr. Timms: The information is in the table.

17 Nov 1998 : Column: 507

Employee National Insurance Contributions rates

Financial Year	Earnings per week	Contribution rate percentage
1979-80	Under £19.50	--
	£19.50-£135	6.5
	Over £135	--
1980-81	Under £23	--
	£23-£165	6.75
	Over £165	--
1981-82	Under £27	--
	£27-£200	7.75
	Over £200	--
1982-83	Under £29.50	--
	£29.50-£220	8.75
	Over £220	--
1983-84	Under £32.50	--
	£32.50-£235	9
	Over £235	--
1984-85	Under £34	--
	£34-£250	9
	Over £250	--
1985-86	Under £35.50	--
	£35.50-£265	9
	Over £265	--
5 October 1985	Under £35.50	--
	£35.50-£54.99	5
	£55-£89.99	7
	£90-£265	9
	Over £265	--
1986-87	Under £38	--
	£38-£59.99	5
	£60-£94.99	7
	£95-£285	9
	Over £285	--
1987-88	Under £39	--
	£39-£64.99	5
	£65-£99.99	7
	£100-£295	9
	Over £295	--
1988-89	Under £41	--
	£41-£69.99	5
	£70-£104.99	7
	£105-£305	9
	Over £305	--
1989-90	Under £43	--
	£43-£74.99	5
	£75-£114.99	7
	£115-£325	9
	Over £325	--
5 October 1989	Under £43	--
	£43-£325	2% on first £43 + 9% on balance
	Over £325	--
1990-91	Under £46	--
	£46-£350	2% on first £46 + 9% on balance
	Over £350	--
1991-92	Under £52	--
	£52-£390	2% on first £52 + 9% on balance
	Over £390	--
1992-93	Under £54	--
	£54-£405	2% on first £54 + 9% on balance
	Over £405	--
1993-94	Under £56	--
	£56-£420	2% on first £56 + 9% on balance
	Over £420	--
1994-95	Under £57	--
	£57-£430	2% on first £57 + 10% on balance
	Over £430	--
1995-96	Under £58	--
	£58-£440	2% on first £58 + 10% on balance
	Over £440	--
1996-97	Under £61	--
	£61-£455	2% on first £61 + 10% on balance
	Over £455	--
1997-98	Under £62	--
	£62-£465	2% on first £62 + 10% on balance
	Over £465	--
1998-99	Under £64	--
	£64-£485	2% on first £64 +10% on balance
	Over £485	--

Notes:

1. Figures shown are standard non-contracted-out rates

2. The National Insurance Contribution rates have been extracted from Social Security Statistics 1994 and 1998

3. Reduced banded rates were introduced from October 1985

4. The rates structure was further revised in October 1989

17 Nov 1998 : Column: 508

Photosensitivity

Mr. Wigley: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will review the mobility allowance regulations to ensure that people who cannot walk in daylight because of disability arising from photosensitivity are included within the scope of the allowance. [59711]

Mr. Timms: Regulations provide entitlement to the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance mobility component where a person's

"ability to walk out of doors is so limited, as regards the distance over which or the speed at which or at the length of time for which or the manner in which he can make progress on foot without severe discomfort, that he is virtually unable to walk".

It is accepted that a severe reaction to sunlight may cause severe discomfort, however, the discomfort is not related to the act of walking. This was also the view of the Court of Appeal and we will not therefore be reviewing the regulations.

Long-term Care

Mr. Wigley: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will eliminate the difference in entitlement to social security benefits between those resident in local authority residential houses and those in private residential homes. [59712]

Angela Eagle: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Carlisle (Mr. Martlew) on 10 November 1998, Official Report, columns 163-64.

Mobility Allowance

Mr. Wigley: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people, awaiting an appeal hearing on refusal of applications for, or withdrawal of, the mobility element of disability living allowance, have been waiting

17 Nov 1998 : Column: 509

(a) between six and 12 months and (b) over 12 months, for their appeals to be heard; and if he will make a statement. [59615]

Mr. Timms: The information is not available in the form requested. However, at the end of August 1998, the number of people awaiting an appeal hearing on refusal of applications for, or withdrawal of, the mobility element of Disability Living Allowance totalled 277. Of these, 121 had been waiting less than six months, 88 between six and 12 months and 68 over 12 months.

Source:

Appeals--Data supplied by Analytical Services Division (ASD) from the Independent Tribunal Service Generic Appeals Processing System.

Child Benefit

Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the current child dependency increases for widowed mothers allowance; and what additional uprating would have been needed to restore the combined value of child benefit and child dependency increases in April to their November 1979 level relative to (a) prices and (b) earnings. [59814]

Angela Eagle: The information is in the table.

		£
	First child	Subsequent child(ren)
November 1979
Child Dependency increase	7.10	7.10
Child Benefit	4.00	4.00
Total	11.10	11.10
April 1998
Child Dependency increase	9.90	11.30
Child Benefit	11.45	9.30
Total	21.35	20.60
	If increased by earnings to April 1998
Child Dependency increase	26.70	26.70
Child Benefit	14.95	14.95
Total	41.65	41.65
	If increased by prices to April 1998
Child Dependency increase	19.30	19.30
Child Benefit	10.60	10.60
Total	29.90	29.90

Notes:

1. The Retail Prices Index (all items) was used to put Child Benefit and Widowed Mother's Allowance child dependency addition into real terms as at April 1998

2. The average earnings of full time adult employees was calculated using the New Earnings Survey and Average Earnings Index (AEI), both produced by the Office for National Statistics

Benefit Uprating

Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish details of the April 1999 benefit uprating. [59816]

Mr. Darling: The information requested was placed in the Library, and the Vote Office and copies of the schedule were sent to all right hon. and hon. Members of the House in October. These details are now reproduced.

17 Nov 1998 : Column: 510

Schedule of main proposed social security benefit rates-- April 1999£

	Old rates 1998	New rates 1999
	Attendance Allowance:
higher rate	51.30	52.95
lower rate	34.30	35.40
Child Benefit:
only, elder or eldest for whom
child benefit is payable (couple)	11.45	14.40
only, elder or eldest for whom
child benefit is payable (lone parent)	17.10	17.10
each subsequent child	9.30	9.60
	Child's Special Allowance:
see note on Child Dependency Increase(7)	11.30	11.35
	Council Tax Benefit:
	Personal allowances
single
18 to 24	39.85	40.70
25 or over	50.35	51.40
lone parent--18 or over	50.35	51.40
couple--one or both over 18	79.00	80.65
Dependent Children
birth to September following 11th birthday	17.30	20.20
from September following 11th birthday to
September following 16th birthday	25.35	25.90
from September following 16th birthday to
day before 19th birthday	30.30	30.95
Premiums
family	11.05	13.90
family (lone parent rate)	22.05	22.05
pensioner
single	20.10	23.60
couple	30.35	35.95
pensioner (enhanced)
single	22.35	25.90
couple	33.55	39.20
pensioner (higher)
single	27.20	30.85
couple	38.90	44.65
disability
single	21.45	21.90
couple	30.60	31.25
severe disability
single	38.50	39.75
couple (one qualifies)	38.50	39.75
couple (both qualify)	77.00	79.50
disabled child	21.45	21.90
carer	13.65	13.95
	Allowance for personal expenses for
	claimants in hospital
higher rate	16.20	16.70
lower rate	12.95	13.35
	Non-dependant deductions
aged 18 or over and in remunerative work
gross income: £255 or more	6.00	6.50
gross income: £204 - £254.99	5.00	5.40
gross income: £118 - £203.99	4.00	4.30
gross income less than £118	2.00	2.15
others, aged 18 or over	2.00	2.15
Alternative maximum Council Tax Benefit
second adult on Income Support or income based Jobseekers Allowance	25% of Council Tax
second adult's gross income: under £118	15% of Council Tax
£118 to £154.99	7.5% of Council Tax
Capital
upper limit	16,000.00	16,000.00
amount disregarded	3,000.00	3,000.00
child's limit	3,000.00	3,000.00
upper limit for perm. res. of RC/NH	16,000.00	16,000.00
amount disregarded for perm. res. of RC/NH	10,000.00	10,000.00
Tariff income
	£1 for every complete £250 or part
	thereof between amount of capital
	disregarded and capital upper limit
	Earnings disregards
where disability premium awarded	15.00	15.00
various specified employments	15.00	15.00
lone parent	25.00	25.00
where the claimant has a partner	10.00	10.00
single claimant	5.00	5.00
where carer premium awarded	15.00	15.00
childcare charges	60.00	60.00
childcare charges (2 or more children)	100.00	100.00
other income disregards
maintenance disregard	15.00	15.00
	war disablement pension and war
widow's pension	10.00	10.00
certain voluntary and charitable payments	20.00	20.00
student loan	10.00	10.00
student's covenanted income	5.00	5.00
	income from boarders: disregard
	the fixed amount (£20) plus
50% of the balance of the charge	20.00	20.00
30 Hr Adult Allowance in DWA	10.80	11.05
30 Hr Adult Credit in FC	10.80	11.05
	Expenses for subtenants
furnished or unfurnished	4.00	4.00
where heating is included, additional	9.25	9.25
	Dependency Increases:
	Adult Dependency Increases
	For spouse or person looking after children, with;
	retirement pension on own insurance,
	long term incapacity benefit, unemployability
supplement	38.70	39.95
severe disablement allowance	23.20	23.95
invalid care allowance	23.15	23.90
	short-term incapacity benefit if beneficiary over
pension age	37.20	38.40
maternity allowance/short-term incapacity benefit	30.20	31.15
	Child dependency increases, with;
	retirement pension, widows benefit,
	short-term incapacity benefit at the higher rate &
	long term incapacity benefit invalid care allowance
	severe disab. allowance, higher rate industrial death
benefit, unemployability supplement and	11.30	11.35
	short-term incapacity benefit if beneficiary
	over pension age(7)
	Disability Living Allowance:
Care Component
Highest	51.30	52.95
Middle	34.30	35.40
Lowest	13.60	14.05
Mobility Component
Higher	35.85	37.00
Lower	13.60	14.05
	Disability Working Allowance:
Adult allowance
Single people	50.75	51.80
Couples/Lone Parents	79.40	81.05
30 Hours Allowance	10.80	11.05
Child allowance
from birth	12.35	15.15
from September following 11th birthday	20.45	20.90
from September following 16th birthday	25.40	25.95
	Applicable amount (ie taper threshold)
Single people	59.25	60.50
Couples/Lone Parents	79.00	80.65
Disabled Child's Allowance	21.45	21.90
Capital
upper limit	16,000.00	16,000.00
amount disregarded	3,000.00	3,000.00
child's limit	3,000.00	3,000.00
	Tariff income
	£1 for every complete £250 or part
	thereof between amount of capital
	disregarded and capital upper limit
Disregards
maintenance disregard	15.00	15.00
	war disablement pension and war
widow's pension	10.00	10.00
certain voluntary and charitable payments	20.00	20.00
student loan	10.00	10.00
student's covenanted income	5.00	5.00
	income from boarders:
	disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus
50% of the balance of the charge	20.00	20.00
childcare charges	60.00	60.00
childcare charges (2 or more children)	100.00	100.00
	Expenses for subtenants
furnished or unfurnished	4.00	4.00
where heating is included, additional	9.25	9.25
Earnings Rules
Invalid Care Allowance	50.00	50.00
Limit of earnings from councillor's allowance	48.00	49.50
Therapeutic earnings limit	48.00	58.00
Industrial injuries unemployability	2,496.00	3,016.00
	supplement permitted earnings level
(annual amount)
War pensioners' unemployability	2,496.00	3,016.00
	supplement permitted earnings level
(annual amount)
	Adult dependency increases with
	short-term incap.benefit where claimant is
(a) under pension age	30.20	31.15
(b) over pension age	37.20	38.40
maternity allowance	30.20	31.15
retirement pension, long-term incapacity benefit,
	severe disablement allowance, unemploy-
	ability supplement where dependant
(a) is living with claimant	50.35	51.40
(b) still qualifies for the tapered	45.09	45.09
earnings rule
	retirement pension, long-term incap benefit
	and unemployability supplement where
dependant not living with claimant	38.70	39.95
	severe disablement allowance where
dependant not living with claimant	23.20	23.95
invalid care allowance	23.15	23.90
	Child dependency increases
	level at which CDIs are affected by
	earnings of claimant's spouse or partner
for first child	140.00	145.00
for each subsequent child	18.00	19.00
	Family Credit
Adult credit	48.80	49.80
30 hours credit	10.80	11.05
	Child credits
from birth(8)	12.35	15.15
from September following 11th birthday	20.45	20.90
from September following 16th birthday	25.40	25.95
Applicable amount (ie threshold)	79.00	80.65
Capital
upper limit	8,000.00	8,000.00
amount disregarded	3,000.00	3,000.00
child's limit	3,000.00	3,000.00
	Assumed income from capital
	£1 for every £250 or part of £250
	between amount of capital
	disregarded and capital upper limit
Disregards
maintenance disregard	15.00	15.00
	war disablement pension and war
widow's pension	10.00	10.00
certain voluntary and charitable payments	20.00	20.00
student loan	10.00	10.00
student's covenanted income	5.00	5.00
	income from boarders:
	disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus
50% of the balance of the charge	20.00	20.00
childcare charges	60.00	60.00
childcare charges (2 or more children)	100.00	100.00
	Expenses for subtenants
furnished or unfurnished	4.00	4.00
where heating is included, additional	9.25	9.25
Guardian's Allowance	11.30	11.35
	see note on Child Dependency Increase
	Hospital Downrating
20% rate	12.95	13.35
40% rate	25.90	26.70
	Housing Benefit
	Personal allowances
single
16 to 24	39.85	40.70
25 or over	50.35	51.40
	lone parent
under 18	39.85	40.70
18 or over	50.35	51.40
couple
both under 18	60.10	61.35
one or both over 18	79.00	80.65
	dependent children
birth to September following 11th birthday	17.30	20.20
from September following 11th birthday to
September following 16th birthday	25.35	25.90
from September following 16th birthday to
day before 19th birthday	30.30	30.95
Premiums
family	11.05	13.90
family (lone parent rate)	22.05	22.05
pensioner
single	20.10	23.60
couple	30.35	35.95
	pensioner (enhanced)
single	22.35	25.90
couple	33.55	39.20
	pensioner (higher)
single	27.20	30.85
couple	38.90	44.65
disability
single	21.45	21.90
couple	30.60	31.25
severe disability
single	38.50	39.75
couple (one qualifies)	38.50	39.75
couple (both qualify)	77.00	79.50
disabled child	21.45	21.90
carer	13.65	13.95
	Allowance for personal expenses for
	claimants in hospital
higher rate	16.20	16.70
lower rate	12.95	13.35
	Non-dependant deductions
	rent rebates and allowances aged 25 and
	over, in receipt of Income Support or income
	based Job Seekers Allowance aged 18 or over,
	not in remunerative work or
gross income less than £80.00	7.00	7.20
aged 18 or over and in remunerative work
gross income: less than £80.00	7.00	7.20
gross income: £80 to £117.99	16.00	16.50
gross income: £118 to £154.99	22.00	22.65
gross income: £155 to £203.99	36.00	37.10
gross income: £204.00 to £254.99	41.00	42.25
gross income: £255.00 and above	45.00	46.35
	Service charges for fuel
heating	9.25	9.25
hot water	1.15	1.15
lighting	0.80	0.80
cooking	1.15	1.15
	Amount ineligible for meals
	three or more meals a day
single claimant	17.95	18.35
each person in family aged 16 or over	17.95	18.35
each child under 16	9.05	9.25
	less than three meals a day
single claimant	11.95	12.20
each person in family aged 16 or over	11.95	12.20
each child under 16	6.00	6.15
	breakfast only--claimant and each
member of family	2.15	2.20
Capital
upper limit	16,000.00	16,000.00
amount disregarded	3,000.00	3,000.00
child's limit	3,000.00	3,000.00
upper limit for perm. res. of RC/NH	16,000.00	16,000.00
amt disregarded for perm. res. of RC/NH	10,000.00	10,000.00
	Tariff income
	£1 for every complete £250 or part
	thereof between amount of capital
	disregarded and capital upper limit
	Earnings disregards
where disability premium awarded	15.00	15.00
various specified employments	15.00	15.00
lone parent	25.00	25.00
where the claimant has a partner	10.00	10.00
single claimant	5.00	5.00
where carer premium awarded	15.00	15.00
childcare charges	60.00	60.00
childcare charges (2 or more children)	100.00	100.00
	Other income disregards
maintenance disregard	15.00	15.00
	war disablement pension and war
widow's pension	10.00	10.00
certain voluntary and charitable payments	20.00	20.00
student loan	10.00	10.00
student's covenanted income	5.00	5.00
	income from boarders:
	disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus
50% of the balance of the charge	20.00	20.00
30 Hr Adult Allowance in DWA	10.80	11.05
30 Hr Adult Credit in FC	10.80	11.05
	Expenses for subtenants
furnished or unfurnished	4.00	4.00
where heating is included, additional	9.25	9.25
	Incapacity Benefit
Long-term Incapacity Benefit	64.70	66.75
	Short-term Incapacity Benefit
(under pension age)
lower rate	48.80	50.35
higher rate	57.70	59.55
	Short-term Incapacity Benefit
(over pension age)
lower rate	62.05	64.05
higher rate	64.70	66.75
	Increase of Long-term Incapacity Benefit for age
higher rate	13.60	14.05
lower rate	6.80	7.05
	Invalidity Allowance (Transitional)
higher rate	13.60	14.05
middle rate	8.60	8.90
lower rate	4.30	4.45
	Income Support
	Personal Allowances
single
under 18--usual rate	30.30	30.95
	under 18--higher rate payable
in specific circumstances	39.85	40.70
18 to 24	39.85	40.70
25 or over	50.35	51.40
lone parent
under 18--usual rate	30.30	30.95
under 18--higher rate payable
in specific circumstances	39.85	40.70
18 or over	50.35	51.40
couple
both under 18	60.10	61.35
one or both 18 or over	79.00	80.65
	dependent children
birth to September following 11th birthday	17.30	20.20
from September following 11th birthday to
September following 16th birthday	25.35	25.90
from September following 16th birthday to
day before 19th birthday	30.30	30.95
	Residential Allowance
except Greater London	57.50	59.40
Greater London	64.00	66.10
Premiums
family	11.05	13.90
family (lone parent rate)	15.75	15.75
pensioner
single	20.10	23.60
couple	30.35	35.95
pensioner (enhanced)
single	22.35	25.90
couple	33.55	39.20
pensioner (higher)
single	27.20	30.85
couple	38.90	44.65
disability
single	21.45	21.90
couple	30.60	31.25
severe disability
single	38.50	39.75
couple (one qualifies)	38.50	39.75
couple (both qualify)	77.00	79.50
disabled child	21.45	21.90
carer	13.65	13.95
	Maximum amounts for accommodation and meals
	in residential care homes
old age	213.00	218.00
very dependent elderly	247.00	252.00
mental disorder (not handicap)	225.00	230.00
drug/alcohol dependence	225.00	230.00
mental handicap	257.00	262.00
	physical disablement
(a) (under pension age)	292.00	298.00
(b) (over pension age)	213.00	218.00
others	213.00	218.00
maximum Greater London increase	44.00	45.00
nursing homes
mental disorder (not handicap)	319.00	326.00
drug/alcohol dependence	319.00	326.00
mental handicap	325.00	332.00
terminal illness	318.00	325.00
physical disablement
(a) (under pension age)	359.00	367.00
(b) (over pension age)	318.00	325.00
others (including elderly)	318.00	325.00
maximum Greater London increase	49.00	50.00
	Amounts for meals where these cannot be
	purchased within the accommodation
(Daily Rate)
breakfast	1.10	1.10
midday meal	1.55	1.55
evening meal	1.55	1.55
Allowances for personal expenses for
	claimants in
	private and voluntary residential
	care and nursing homes
personal expenses	14.45	14.75
dependent children
(a) under 11	5.95	6.05
(b) 11 to 15	8.65	8.85
(c) 16 to 17	10.05	10.25
(d) age 18	14.45	14.75
hospital
higher rate	16.20	16.70
lower rate	12.95	13.35
local authority (Pt III) accommodation	64.70	66.75
of which, Personal Expenses	14.45	14.75
	Allowances for personal expenses for
	claimants in:
	the Polish home Ilford Park
max amount for accommodation and meals	359.00	367.00
personal expenses for claimant	17.35	17.35
personal expenses for partner	17.35	17.35
	personal expenses for dep children
(a) under 11	5.95	6.05
(b) 11 to 15	8.65	8.85
(c) 16 to 17	10.05	10.25
(d) 18	15.55	15.55
	Housing costs
	deduction for non-dependants
	aged 25 and over, in receipt of Income Support
	or income based Job Seekers Allowance
	aged 18 or over, not in work or
gross income less than £80.00	7.00	7.20
	aged 18 or over and in remunerative
work:
gross income: £80 to £117.99	16.00	16.50
gross income: £118 to £154.99	22.00	22.65
gross income: £155 to £203.99	36.00	37.10
gross income: £204.00 to £254.99	41.00	42.25
gross income: £255.00 and above	45.00	46.35
	Deduction for direct payments
	arrears of housing, fuel and water costs
council tax and fines default	2.55	2.60
deductions for child maintenance (standard)	5.10	5.20
deductions for child maintenance (lower)	2.55	2.60
	Arrears of Community Charge
court order against claimant	2.55	2.60
court order against couple	3.95	4.05
	Maximum rates for recovery of overpayments
ordinary overpayments	7.65	7.80
where claimant convicted of fraud	10.00	10.40
Reduction in benefit for strikers	27.00	27.50
Capital
upper limit	8,000.00	8,000.00
amount disregarded	3,000.00	3,000.00
child's limit	3,000.00	3,000.00
upper limit for perm. res. of RC/NH	16,000.00	16,000.00
amt disregarded for perm. res. of RC/NH	10,000.00	10,000.00
	Tariff income
	£1 for every complete £250 or part
	thereof between amount of capital
	disregarded and capital upper limit
Disregards
standard earnings	5.00	5.00
couple's earnings	10.00	10.00
higher earnings	15.00	15.00
	war disablement pension and war
widow's pension	10.00	10.00
voluntary and charitable payments	20.00	20.00
student loan	10.00	10.00
student's covenanted income	5.00	5.00
	income from boarders:
	disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus
50% of the balance of the charge	20.00	20.00
	Expenses for subtenants
furnished or unfurnished	4.00	4.00
where heating is included, additional	9.25	9.25
	Industrial Death Benefit
	Widow's pension
higher rate	64.70	66.75
lower rate	19.41	20.03
	Industrial Disablement Pension
	18 and over, or under 18 with dependants
100%	104.70	108.10
90%	94.23	97.29
80%	83.76	86.48
70%	73.29	75.67
60%	62.82	64.86
50%	52.35	54.05
40%	41.88	43.24
30%	31.41	32.43
20%	20.94	21.62
Under 18
100%	64.15	66.20
90%	57.74	59.58
80%	51.32	52.96
70%	44.91	46.34
60%	38.49	39.72
50%	32.08	33.10
40%	25.66	26.48
30%	19.25	19.86
20%	12.83	13.24
Maximum life gratuity (lump sum)	6,960.00	7,180.00
Unemployability Supplement	64.70	66.75
	plus where appropriate an increase
	for early incapacity
higher rate	13.60	14.05
middle rate	8.60	8.90
lower rate	4.30	4.45
Maximum reduced earnings allowance	41.88	43.24
Maximum retirement allowance	10.47	10.81
	Constant attendance allowance
exceptional rate	84.00	86.60
intermediate rate	63.00	64.95
normal maximum rate	42.00	43.30
part-time rate	21.00	21.65
Exceptionally severe disablement allowance	42.00	43.30
Invalid Care Allowance	38.70	39.95
	Jobseekers Allowance
	Contribution based JSA--pers. rates
under 18	30.30	30.95
18 to 24	39.85	40.70
25 or over	50.35	51.40
Income-based JSA--pers. allowances
under 18	30.30	30.95
18 to 24	39.85	40.70
25 or over	50.35	51.40
lone parent
under 18--usual rate	30.30	30.95
under 18--higher rate payable
in specific circumstances	39.85	40.70
18 or over	50.35	51.40
couple
both under 18	30.30	30.95
both under 18, one disabled	39.85	40.70
both under 18, with resp. for a child	60.10	61.35
one under 18, one 18-24	39.85	40.70
one under 18, one 25+	50.35	51.40
both 18 or over	79.00	80.65
	dependent children
birth to September following 11th birthday	17.30	20.20
	from September following 11th birthday to
September following 16th birthday	25.35	25.90
	from September following 16th birthday to
day before 19th birthday	30.30	30.95
	Residential Allowance
except Greater London	57.50	59.40
Greater London	64.00	66.10
Premiums
family	11.05	13.90
family (lone parent rate)	15.75	15.75
pensioner
single	20.10	23.60
couple	30.35	35.95
	pensioner (enhanced)
couple	33.55	39.20
	pensioner (higher)
single	27.20	30.85
couple	38.90	44.65
disability
single	21.45	21.90
couple	30.60	31.25
	severe disability
single	38.50	39.75
couple (one qualifies)	38.50	39.75
couple (both qualify)	77.00	79.50
disabled child	21.45	21.90
carer	13.65	13.95
	Maximum amounts for accommodation and meals in
	residential care homes
mental disorder (not handicap)	225.00	230.00
drug/alcohol dependence	225.00	230.00
mental handicap	257.00	262.00
	physical disablement
(a) (under pension age)	292.00	298.00
(b) others	213.00	218.00
maximum Greater London increase	44.00	45.00
	nursing homes
mental disorder (not handicap)	319.00	326.00
drug/alcohol dependence	319.00	326.00
mental handicap	325.00	332.00
terminal illness	318.00	325.00
physical disablement
(a) (under pension age)	359.00	367.00
(b) others (including elderly)	318.00	325.00
maximum Greater London increase	49.00	50.00
	Amounts for meals where these cannot be
	purchased within the accommodation
	(Daily Rate)
breakfast	1.10	1.10
midday meal	1.55	1.55
evening meal	1.55	1.55
	Allowances for personal expenses for
	claimants in private and voluntary
	residential care and nursing homes
personal expenses	14.45	14.75
dependent children
(a) under 11	5.95	6.05
(b) 11 to 15	8.65	8.85
(c) 16 to 17	10.05	10.25
(d) age 18	14.45	14.75
hospital
higher rate	16.20	16.70
lower rate	12.95	13.35
local authority (Pt III) accommodation	64.70	66.75
of which, Personal Expenses	14.45	14.75
	Housing costs
	deduction for non-dependants
	aged 25 and over, in receipt of Income Support
	or income based Job Seekers Allowance
	aged 18 or over, not in remunerative work or
gross income less than £80.00	7.00	7.20
aged 18 or over and in remunerative work
gross income: less than £80.00	7.00	7.20
gross income: £80 to £117.99	16.00	16.50
gross income: £118 to £154.99	22.00	22.65
gross income: £155 to £203.99	36.00	37.10
gross income: £204.00 to £254.99	41.00	42.25
gross income: £255.00 and above	45.00	46.35
	Deduction for direct payments
	Deductions from JSA (IB)
	arrears of housing, fuel and water costs
council tax and fines default, and	2.55	2.60
	Deductions for Child Maintenance
deductions for child maintenance (standard)	5.10	5.20
deductions for child maintenance (lower)	2.55	2.60
	Arrears of Community Charge
court order against claimant	2.55	2.60
court order against couple	3.95	4.05
	Deductions from JSA (Cont.)
	Arrears of Comm. Charge, Council Tax & fines
Age 16-17	10.10	10.31
Age 18-24	13.28	13.56
Age 25+	16.78	17.13
	Maximum deduction for arrears of Child Supp. Maintenance
Age 16-17	10.10	10.31
Age 18-24	13.28	13.56
Age 25+	16.78	17.13
	Maximum rates for recovery of overpayments
ordinary overpayments	7.65	7.80
where claimant convicted of fraud	10.00	10.40
Reduction in benefit for strikers	27.00	27.50
Capital
upper limit	8,000.00	8,000.00
amount disregarded	3,000.00	3,000.00
child's limit	3,000.00	3,000.00
upper limit for perm. res. of RC/NH	16,000.0 0	16,000.00
amt disregarded for perm. res. of RC/NH	10,000.0 0	10,000.00
	Tariff income
	£1 for every complete £250 or part
	thereof between amount of capital
	disregarded and capital upper limit
Disregards
standard earnings	5.00	5.00
couple's earnings	10.00	10.00
higher earnings	15.00	15.00
	war disablement pension and war
widow's pension	10.00	10.00
voluntary and charitable payments	20.00	20.00
student loan	10.00	10.00
student's covenanted income	5.00	5.00
	income from boarders:
	disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus
50% of the balance of the charge	20.00	20.00
	Expenses for subtenants
furnished or unfurnished	4.00	4.00
where heating is included, additional	9.25	9.25
	Maternity Allowance
Lower rate	50.10	51.70
Higher rate	57.70	59.55
	Pneumoconiosis, Byssinosis, Workmen's Compensation
	(Supplementation) and other schemes
	Total disablement allowance and major
incapacity allowance (maximum)	104.70	108.10
Partial disablement allowance	38.70	39.95
Unemployability supplement	64.70	66.75
	plus where appropriate increases
	for early incapacity
higher rate	13.60	14.05
middle rate	8.60	8.90
lower rate	4.30	4.45
	Constant attendance allowance
exceptional rate	84.00	86.60
intermediate rate	63.00	64.95
normal maximum rate	42.00	43.30
part-time rate	21.00	21.65
Exceptionally severe disablement allowance	42.00	43.30
	Lesser incapacity allowance
maximum rate of allowance	38.70	39.95
based on loss of earnings over	51.30	52.95
	Retirement Pension
Category A or B	64.70	66.75
Category B (lower)--husband's insurance	38.70	39.95
Category C or D--non-contributory	38.70	39.95
Category C (lower)--non-contributory	23.15	23.90
Additional pension	Increase by:
		3.20%
Increments to:-
Basic & additional pensions	Increase by:
	Contracted out deductions (CODs) (Pre April 1988 earnings)		3.20%
	Graduated Retirement Benefit (GRB)
Increments to CODs (April 1988-April 1996 earnings)	Additional increase
(3.0% paid by schemes)	0.2% to that paid by schemes
Graduated Retirement Benefit (unit)(pence)	8.40	8.67
Graduated Retirement Benefit (Inherited)		Increase by:
		3.20%
Addition at age 80	0.25	0.25
	Severe Disablement Allowance
Basic rate	39.10	40.35
	Age-related addition (from December 1990)
Higher rate	13.60	14.05
Middle rate	8.60	8.90
Lower rate	4.30	4.45
	Statutory Maternity Pay
Earnings threshold	64.00	66.00
Lower rate	57.70	59.55
	Statutory Sick Pay
Earnings threshold	64.00	66.00
Standard rate	57.70	59.55
	War Pensions
	Disablement Pension (100% rates)
officer (£ per annum)	5,797.00	5,985.00
other ranks	111.10	114.70
	Age allowances
40-50%	7.40	7.65
over 50% but not over 70%	11.45	11.80
over 70% but not over 90%	16.30	16.80
over 90%	22.90	23.60
	Disablement gratuity
specified minor injury (minimum)	707.00	730.00
specified minor injury (maximum)	5,284.00	5,453.00
unspecified minor injury (minimum)	294.00	303.00
unspecified minor injury (maximum)	6,871.00	7,091.00
	Unemployability allowance
personal	68.65	70.85
adult dependency increase	38.70	39.95
increase for first child	9.90	9.90
increase for subsequent children	11.30	11.35
	Invalidity allowance
higher rate	13.60	14.05
middle rate	8.60	8.90
lower rate	4.30	4.45
	Constant attendance allowance
exceptional rate	84.00	86.60
intermediate rate	63.00	64.95
normal maximum rate	42.00	43.30
part-time rate	21.00	21.65
	Comforts allowance
higher rate	18.00	18.60
lower rate	9.00	9.30
Mobility supplement	39.95	41.25
	Allowance for lowered standard of
occupation (maximum)	41.88	43.24
Exceptionally severe disablement allowance	42.00	43.30
Severe disablement occupational allowance	21.00	21.65
Clothing allowance (£ per annum, maximum)	142.00	147.00
Education allowance (£ per annum, maximum)	120.00	120.00
	War widow's pension
Widow (private)	83.90	86.60
Widow (NCO)	84.20	86.90
Widow--Officer (£ per annum, maximum)	5,190.00	5,356.00
Childless widow u-40 (private)	19.41	20.03
Childless widow (NCO)	19.70	20.33
Childless widow (Officer maximum £ per annum)	5,190.00	5,356.00
Supplementary Pension	54.70	56.45
	age allowance
(a) age 65 to 69	9.60	9.90
(b) age 70 to 79	18.40	19.00
(c) age 80 and over	27.40	28.30
	children's allowance
increase for first child	14.25	14.35
	(adjusted for ChB increase)
increase for subsequent children	15.65	15.80
	Orphan's pension
increase for first child	16.05	16.20
	(adjusted for ChB increase)
increase for subsequent children	17.45	17.65
Unmarried dependant living as spouse (max)	81.85	84.55
Rent allowance (maximum)	31.75	32.75
Adult orphan's pension (maximum)	64.70	66.75
	Widower's pension
private (maximum)	83.90	86.60
officer (£ per annum, maximum)	5,190.00	5,356.00
	Widow's Benefit
Widow's payment (lump sum)	1,000.00	1,000.00
Widowed mother's allowance	64.70	66.75
	Widow's pension
standard rate	64.70	66.75
age-related(9)
age 54 (49)	60.17	62.08
53 (48)	55.64	57.41
52 (47)	51.11	52.73
51 (46)	46.58	48.06
50 (45)	42.06	43.39
49 (44)	37.53	38.72
48 (43)	33.00	34.04
47 (42)	28.47	29.37
46 (41)	23.94	24.70
45 (40)	19.41	20.03

(7) The Overlapping Benefits Regulations provide for the rate of child dependency increases, guardian's allowance and child special allowance to be adjusted where the increase or allowance is payable for the eldest eligible child for whom ChB is also payable. The weekly rate of the increase or allowance is reduced by the differential (less the 75p derived from the Oct 1991 increase in Chb and the £2.60 above normal uprating) between the rate of ChB payable for the oldest eligible child and that payable for a subsequent child.

(8) Includes £2.50 increase from 9 November 1998.

(9) For deaths occurring before 11 April 1988 refer to age-points shown in brackets.

17 Nov 1998 : Column: 524

Earnings top-up (ETU) rates£

	Old rates 1998	New rates 1999
Scheme A
Credit
couple	48.80	49.85
single 25 and over	29.45	30.00
Single under 25	23.90	24.40
for working 30 hours+ pw	10.80	11.05
Applicable amount (ie taper threshold)
couple	79.00	80.65
single 25 and over	61.15	62.45
single under 25	50.65	51.70
Scheme B
Credit
couple	58.90	60.15
single 25 and over	29.45	30.00
single under 25	23.90	24.40
for working 30 hours+ pw	10.80	11.05
Applicable amount (ie taper threshold)
couple	79.00	80.65
single 25 and over	79.00	80.65
single under 25	79.00	80.65
Both Schemes
Capital
upper limit	8,000.00	fixed rates
amount disregarded	3,000.00
Tariff income
£1 for every complete £250 or part
thereof between amount of capital	fixed rate
disregarded and capital upper limit

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