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Benefit Rates

Lord Burlison asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will set out the new rates of benefit proposed from April 1998.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Social Security has reviewed the Social Security benefits in accordance with Section 150 of the 1992 Administration Act. Her proposals for the revised rates of benefit are set out in the schedule. The new rates will take effect in the week beginning 6 April 1998.

The statutory instruments to implement the changes will be laid before both Houses for debate in the new year.

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland proposes to introduce similar changes for Northern Ireland.

National Insurance benefits will be uprated in line with the annual increase in the Retail Prices Index (RPI) up to September, which this year is 3.6 per cent.

Jobseeker's Allowance and income-related benefits will generally rise by 2.4 per cent. in line with the increase in the Rossi index. The Rossi index is RPI less certain housing costs.

The total cost of uprating for 1998-99 will be £2.45 billion.

The key points of my review are as follows: Retirement Pension

The basic rate of Retirement Pension will be increased by £2.25 to £64.70 for a single person and by £3.60 to £103.40 for couples. Child Benefit

The rate for the eldest child will be increased to £11.45. The rate for each subsequent child is increased to £9.30. Income Support

The couple rate of Income Support for those aged 80 and over will increase by £2.75 to £117.90. War Pensions

War pensions will be increased in line with the RPI. Earnings Top-up

Benefit rates for the pilot Earnings Top-Up scheme will be increased by the Rossi index. Benefits for Lone Parents

The higher rate for lone parents in Child Benefit will be £17.10, and the higher rates of family premium in Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance will be £15.75 and in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit will be £22.05. Non-dependant Deductions

New rates of deductions in respect of non-dependants living in the household are shown in the schedule. The rate of deduction for Housing Benefit, Income Support and income based Jobseeker's Allowance in respect of those not in work, or with gross income below £78, remains unchanged.

2 Dec 1997 : Column WA172

Protecting benefits from inflation underlines our commitment to the elderly and the most vulnerable in society.

Schedule of Main Proposed Social Security Benefit Rates--April 1998(Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

	Old Rates 1997	New Rates 1998
Attendance Allowance
higher rate	49.50	51.30
lower rate	33.10	34.30
Child Benefit
--only, elder or eldest for whom child benefit is payable (couple)	11.05	11.45
--only, elder or eldest for whom child benefit is payable (lone parent)	17.10	17.10
--each subsequent child	9.00	9.30
Child's Special Allowance
see note on Child Dependency Increase	11.20	11.30
Council Tax Benefit
Personal allowances
single
18 to 24	38.90	39.85
25 or over	49.15	50.35
lone parent--18 or over	49.15	50.35
couple--one or both over 18	77.15	79.00
Dependent Children
birth to September following 11th birthday	16.90	17.30
from September following 11th birthday to September following 16th birthday	24.75	25.35
from September following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday	29.60	30.30
Premiums
family	10.80	11.05
family (lone parent rate)	22.05	22.05
pensioner
single	19.65	20.10
couple	29.65	30.35
pensioner (enhanced)
single	21.85	22.35
couple	32.75	33.55
pensioner (higher)
single	26.55	27.20
couple	38.00	38.90
disability
single	20.95	21.45
couple	29.90	30.60
severe disability
single	37.15	38.50
couple (one qualifies)	37.15	38.50
couple (both qualify)	74.30	77.00
disabled child	20.95	21.45
carer	13.35	13.65
Allowance for personal expenses for claimants in hospital
higher rate	15.60	16.20
lower rate	12.50	12.95
Non-dependant deductions aged 18 or over and in remunerative work
--gross income: £250 or more	4.00	6.00
--gross income: £200-£249.99	3.50	5.00
--gross income: £116-£199.99	3.00	4.00
--gross income less than £116	1.50	2.00
others, aged 18 or over	1.50	2.00
Alternative maximum Council Tax Benefit
second adult on Income Support or income based Jobseeker's Allowance	25% of Council Tax
second adult's gross income:
--under £116	15% of Council Tax
--£16 to £151.99	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 permanent resident of RC/NH	16,000.00	16,000.00
amount disregarded for permanent resident 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
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 per cent. of the balance of the charge	20.00	20.00
30 Hour Adult Allowance in DWA	10.55	10.80
30 Hour Adult Credit in FC	10.55	10.80
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	37.35	38.70
severe disablement allowance	22.40	23.20
invalid care allowance	22.35	23.15
short-term incapacity benefit if beneficiary over pension age	35.90	37.20
maternity allowance/short-term incapacity benefit	29.15	30.20
Child Dependency Increases, with; short-term incapacity benefit at the higher rate and long-term incapacity benefit, invalid care allowance severe disability allowance, higher rate industrial death benefit, unemployability supplement and short-term incapacity benefit if beneficiary over pension age	11.20	11.30
NB--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 child benefit is also payable. The weekly rate of the increase or allowance is reduced by the differential (less the 75p derived from the October 1991 increase in child benefit) between the rate of child benefit payable for the oldest eligible child and that payable for a subsequent child.
Disability Living Allowance
Care Component
Highest	49.50	51.30
Middle	33.10	34.30
Lowest	13.15	13.60
Mobility Component
Higher	34.60	35.85
Lower	13.15	13.60
Disability Working Allowance
Adult allowance
Single people	49.55	50.75
Couples/Lone Parents	77.55	79.40
30 Hours Allowance	10.55	10.80
Child allowance
from birth	12.05	12.35
from September following 11th birthday	19.95	20.45
from September following 16th birthday	24.80	25.40
Child allowance for children with protected rates
age 11 before 7th October 1997	19.95	20.45
age 16 before 7th October 1997	24.80	25.40
age 18 before 7th October 1997	34.70	35.55
Applicable amount (i.e. taper threshold)
Single People	57.85	59.25
Couples/Lone Parents	77.15	79.00
Disabled Child's Allowance	20.95	21.45
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 per cent. of the balance of the charge	20.00	20.00
childcare charges	60.00	60.00
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
Therapeutic earnings limit	46.50	48.00
Industrial injuries unemployability supplement permitted earnings level (annual amount)	2,418.00	2,496.00
War pensioners' unemployability supplement permitted earnings level (annual amount)	2,418.00	2,496.00
Adult dependency increases with
short-term incapacity benefit where claimant is (a) under pension age	29.15	30.20
(b) over pension age	35.90	37.20
maternity allowance	29.15	30.20
retirement pension, long-term incapacity benefit severe disablement allowance, unemployability supplement where dependent
(a) is living with claimant	49.15	50.35
(b) still qualifies for the tapered earnings rule	45.09	45.09
retirement pension, long-term incapacity benefit and unemployability supplement where dependant not living with claimant	37.35	38.70
severe disablement allowance where dependant not living with claimant	22.40	23.20
invalid care allowance	22.35	23.15
Child dependency increases
level at which CDIs are affected by earnings of claimant's spouse or partner
for first child	135.00	140.00
for each subsequent child	17.00	18.00
Family Credit
Adult credit	47.65	48.80
30 hours credit	10.55	10.80
Child credits
from birth	12.05	12.35
from September following 11th birthday	19.95	20.45
from September following 16th birthday	24.80	25.40
Child credits for children with protected rates
age 11 before 7th October 1997	19.95	20.45
age 16 before 7th October 1997	24.80	25.40
age 18 before 7th October 1997	34.70	35.55
Applicable amount (i.e: threshold)	77.15	79.00
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 per cent. of the balance of the charge	20.00	20.00
childcare charges	60.00	60.00
Expenses for subtenants
furnished or unfurnished	4.00	4.00
where heating is included, additional	9.25	9.25
Guardian's Allowance	11.20	11.30
see note on Child Dependency Increase
Hospital Downrating
20 per cent. rate	12.50	12.95
40 per cent. rate	25.00	25.90
Housing benefit
Personal allowances
single
16 to 24	38.90	39.85
25 or over	49.15	50.35
lone parent
under 18	38.90	39.85
18 or over	49.15	50.35
couple
both under 18	58.70	60.10
one or both over 18	77.15	79.00
dependent children
birth to September following 11th birthday	16.90	17.30
from September following 11th birthday to September following 16th birthday	24.75	25.35
from September following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday	29.60	30.30
dependent children with protected rates age 18 before 1st/7th April 1997	38.90	39.85
Premiums
family	10.80	11.05
family (lone parent rate)	22.05	22.05
pensioner
single	19.65	20.10
couple	29.65	30.35
pensioner (enhanced)
single	21.85	22.35
couple	32.75	33.55
pensioner (higher)
single	26.55	27.20
couple	38.00	38.90
disability
single	20.95	21.45
couple	29.90	30.60
severe disability
single	37.15	38.50
couple (one qualifies)	37.15	38.50
couple (both qualify)	74.30	77.00
disabled child	20.95	21.45
carer	13.35	13.65
Allowance for personal expenses for claimants in hospital
higher rate	15.60	16.20
lower rate	12.50	12.95
Non-dependant deductions rent rebates and allowances
aged 25 and over, in receipt of Income Support or income based Job Seeker's Allowance
aged 18 or over, not in remunerative work or
--gross income less than £78	7.00	7.00
aged 18 or over and in remunerative work
--gross income: less than £78	7.00	7.00
--gross income: £78 to £115.99	13.00	16.00
--gross income: £116 to £151.99	17.00	22.00
--gross income: £152 to £199.99	33.00	36.00
--gross income: £200.00 to £249.99	36.00	41.00
--gross income: £250.00 and above	39.00	45.00
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	17.55	17.95
each person in family aged 16 or over	17.55	17.95
each child under 16	8.85	9.05
less than three meals a day
single claimant	11.65	11.95
each person in family aged 16 or over	11.65	11.95
each child under 16	5.85	6.00
breakfast only--claimant and each member of family	2.10	2.15
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 permanent resident of RC/NH	16,000.00	16,000.00
amount disregarded for permanent resident 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
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 per cent. of the balance of the charge	20.00	20.00
30 per cent. Adult Allowance in DWA	10.55	10.80
30 per cent. Adult Credit in FC	10.55	10.80
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	62.45	64.70
Short-term incapacity benefit (under pension age)
lower rate	47.10	48.80
higher rate	55.70	57.70
Short-term incapacity benefit (over pension age)
lower & higher rate	59.90	62.05
Increase of long-term incapacity benefit for age
higher rate	13.15	13.60
lower rate	6.60	6.80
Invalidity Allowance (Transitional)
higher rate	13.15	13.60
middle rate	8.30	8.60
lower rate	4.15	4.30
Income Support
Personal Allowance
single
under 18--usual rate	29.60	30.30
under 18-higher rate payable in specific circumstances	38.90	39.85
18 to 24	38.90	39.85
25 or over	49.15	50.35
lone parent
under 18--usual rate	29.60	30.30
under 18--higher rate payable in specific circumstances	38.90	39.85
18 or over	49.15	50.35
couple
both under 18	58.70	60.10
one or both 18 or over	77.15	79.00
dependent children
birth to September following 11th birthday	16.90	17.30
from September following 11th birthday to September following 16th birthday	24.75	25.35
from September following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday	29.60	30.30
Residential Allowance
except Greater London	56.00	57.50
Greater London	62.00	64.00
Premiums
family	10.80	11.05
family (lone parent rate)	15.75	15.75
pensioner
single	19.65	20.10
couple	29.65	30.35
pensioner (enhanced)
single	21.85	22.35
couple	32.75	33.55
pensioner (higher)
single	26.55	27.20
couple	38.00	38.90
disability
single	20.95	21.45
couple	29.90	30.60
severe disability
single	37.15	38.50
couple (one qualifies)	37.15	38.50
couple (both qualify)	74.30	77.00
disabled child	20.95	21.45
carer	13.35	13.65
Maximum amounts for accommodation and meals in
residential care homes
old age	208.00	213.00
very dependent elderly	240.00	247.00
mental disorder (not handicap)	220.00	225.00
drug/alcohol dependence	220.00	225.00
mental handicap	250.00	257.00
physical disablement
(a) (under pension age)	285.00	292.00
(b) (over pension age)	208.00	213.00
others	208.00	213.00
maximum Greater London increase	41.00	44.00
nursing homes
mental disorder (not handicap)	312.00	319.00
drug/alcohol dependence	312.00	319.00
mental handicap	318.00	325.00
terminal illness	311.00	318.00
physical disablement
(a) (under pension age)	352.00	359.00
(b) (over pension age)	311.00	318.00
others (including elderly)	311.00	318.00
maximum Greater London increase	46.00	49.00
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	14.10	14.45
dependent children
(a) under 11	5.80	5.95
(b) 11 to 15	8.45	8.65
(c) 16 to 17	9.80	10.05
(d) age 18	14.10	14.45
hospital
higher rate	15.60	16.20
lower rate	12.50	12.95
local authority (Pt III) accommodation	62.45	64.70
of which, personal expenses	14.10	14.45
Allowances for personal expenses for claimants in:
the Polish home Ilford Park
maximum amount for accommodation and meals	352.00	359.00
personal expenses for claimant	17.35	17.35
personal expenses for partner	17.35	17.35
personal expenses for dependent children
(a) under 11	5.80	5.95
(b) 11 to 15	8.45	8.65
(c) 16 to 17	9.80	10.05
(d) 18	15.55	15.55
Housing costs
deduction for non-dependants:
aged 25 and over, in receipt of income support
aged 18 or over, not in work or
--gross income less than £78	7.00	7.00
aged 18 or over and in remunerative work:
--gross income: £78 to £115.99	13.00	16.00
--gross income: £116 to £151.99	17.00	22.00
--gross income: £152 to £199.99	33.00	36.00
--gross income: £200.00 to £249.99	33.00	41.00
--gross income: £250.00 and above	33.00	45.00
Deduction for direct payments
arrears of housing, fuel and water costs
council tax and fines default, and	2.50	2.55
deductions for child maintenance (standard)	5.00	5.10
deductions for child maintenance (lower)	2.50	2.55
Arrears of Community Charge
court order against claimant	2.50	2.55
court order against couple	3.90	3.95
Maximum rates for recovery of overpayments
ordinary overpayments	7.50	7.65
where claimant convicted of fraud	10.00	10.00
Reduction in benefit for strikers	26.50	27.00
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 permanent resident of RC/NH	16,000.00	16,000.00
amount disregarded for permanent resident 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
couples' 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 per cent. 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	62.45	64.70
lower rate	18.74	19.41
Indistrial Disablement Pension
18 and over, or under 18 with dependants
100 per cent.	101.10	104.70
90 per cent.	90.99	94.23
80 per cent.	80.88	83.76
70 per cent.	70.77	73.29
60 per cent.	60.66	62.82
50 per cent.	50.55	52.35
40 per cent.	40.44	41.88
30 per cent.	30.33	31.41
20 per cent.	20.22	20.94
Under 18
100 per cent.	61.90	64.15
90 per cent.	55.71	57.74
80 per cent.	49.52	51.32
70 per cent.	43.33	44.91
60 per cent.	37.14	38.49
50 per cent.	30.95	32.08
40 per cent.	24.76	25.66
30 per cent.	18.57	19.25
20 per cent.	12.38	12.83
Maximum life gratuity (lump sum)	6,720.00	6,960.00
Unemployability Supplement	62.45	64.70
plus where appropriate an increase for early incapacity
higher rate	13.15	13.60
middle rate	8.30	8.60
lower rate	4.15	4.30
Maximum reduced earnings allowance	40.44	41.88
Maximum retirement allowance	10.11	10.47
Constant attendance allowance
exceptional rate	81.00	84.00
intermediate rate	60.75	63.00
normal maximum rate	40.50	42.00
part-time rate	20.25	21.00
Exceptionally severe disablement allowance	40.50	42.00
Invalid Care Allowance	37.35	38.70
Jobseekers Allowance
Contribution based JSA--rates
under 18	29.60	30.30
18 to 24	38.90	39.85
25 or over	49.15	50.35
Income-based JSA--personal allowances
under 18	29.60	30.30
18 to 24	38.90	39.85
25 or over	49.15	50.35
lone parent
under 18--usual rate	29.60	30.30
under 18--higher rate payable in specific circumstances	38.90	39.85
18 or over	49.15	50.35
couple
both under 18	29.60	30.30
both under 18, one disabled	38.90	39.85
both under 18, with responsibility for a child	58.70	60.10
one under 18, one 18-24	38.90	39.85
one under 18, one 25+	49.15	50.35
both 18 or over	77.15	79.00
dependent children
birth to September following 11th birthday	16.90	17.30
from September following 11th birthday to September following 16th birthday	24.75	25.35
from September following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday	29.60	30.30
Residential Allowance
except Greater London	56.00	57.50
Greater London	62.00	64.00
Premiums
family	10.80	11.05
family (lone parent rate)	15.75	15.75
pensioner
single	19.65	20.10
couple	29.65	30.35
pensioner (enhanced)
couple	32.75	33.55
pensioner (higher)
single	26.55	27.20
couple	38.00	38.90
disability
single	20.95	21.45
couple	29.90	30.60
severe disability
single	37.15	38.50
couple (one qualifies)	37.15	38.50
couple (both qualify)	74.30	77.00
disabled child	20.95	21.45
carer	13.35	13.65
Maximum amounts for accommodation and meals in
residential care homes
mental disorder (not handicap)	220.00	225.00
drug/alcohol dependence	220.00	225.00
mental handicap	250.00	257.00
physical disablement
(a) (under pension age)	285.00	292.00
others	208.00	213.00
maximum Greater London increase	41.00	44.00
nursing homes
mental disorder (not handicap)	312.00	319.00
drug/alcohol dependence	312.00	319.00
mental handicap	318.00	325.00
terminal illness	311.00	318.00
physical disablement
(a) (under pension age)	352.00	359.00
others (including elderly)	311.00	318.00
maximum Greater London increase	46.00	49.00
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	14.10	14.45
dependent children
(a) under 11	5.80	5.95
(b) 11 to 15	8.45	8.65
(c) 16 to 17	9.80	10.05
(d) age 18	14.10	14.45
hospital
higher rate	15.60	16.20
lower rate	12.50	12.95
local authority (Pt lll) accommodation	62.45	64.70
of which, Personal Expenses	14.10	14.45
Housing costs deduction for non-dependents: 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 £78	7.00	7.00
aged 18 or over and in remunerative work
--gross income: less than £78.00	7.00	7.00
--gross income: £78 to £115.99	13.00	16.00
--gross income: £116 to £151.99	17.00	22.00
--gross income: £152 to £199.99	33.00	36.00
--gross income: £200.00 to £249.99	33.00	41.00
--gross income: £250.00 and above	33.00	45.00
Deduction for direct payments
Deductions from JSA (IB)
arrears of housing, fuel and water costs council tax and fines default, and	2.50	2.55
Deductions for Child Maintenance
deductions for child maintenance (standard)	5.00	5.10
deductions for child maintenance (lower)	2.50	2.55
Arrears of Community Charge
court order against claimant	2.50	2.55
court order against couple	3.90	3.95
Deductions from JSA (continued)
Arrears of Community Charge, Council Tax and fines
Age 16-17	9.86	10.10
Age 18-24	12.96	13.28
Age 25+	16.38	16.78
Maximum deduction for arrears of Child Support
Maintenance
Age 16-17	9.86	10.10
Age 18-24	12.96	13.28
Age 25+	16.38	16.78
Maximum rates for recovery of overpayments
ordinary overpayments	7.50	7.65
where claimant convicted of fraud	10.00	10.00
Reduction in benefit for strikers	26.50	27.00
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 permanent resident of RC/NH	16,000.00	16,000.00
amount disregarded for permanent resident 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
couples' 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 per cent. 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	48.35	50.10
Higher rate	55.70	57.70
Pneumoconiosis Byssinosis, Workmen's Compensation (Supplementation) and Other Schemes
Total disablement allowance and major incapacity allowance (maximum)	101.10	104.70
Partial disablement allowance	37.35	38.70
Unemployability supplement plus where appropriate increases for early incapacity	62.45	64.70
higher rate	13.15	13.60
middle rate	8.30	8.60
lower rate	4.15	4.30
Constant attendance allowance
exceptional rate	81.00	84.00
intermediate rate	60.75	63.00
normal maximum rate	40.50	42.00
part-time rate	20.25	21.00
Exceptionally severe disablement allowance	40.50	42.00
Lesser incapacity allowance
maximum rate of allowance	37.35	38.70
based on loss of earnings over	49.50	51.30
Retirement Pension
Category A or B	62.45	64.70
Category B(lower)--husband's insurance	37.35	38.70
Category C or D--non-contributory	37.35	38.70
Category C(lower)--non-contributory	22.35	23.15
Additional pension	Increase by: 3.60 per cent.
Increments to:
Basic and additional pensions	Increased by 3.60 per cent.
Contracted out deductions (CODs) (Pre April '88 earnings)
Graduated Retirement Benefit (GRB)
Increments to CODs (April 1988-April 1996 earnings	Additional increase 0.6 per cent. to that paid by schemes
[33.0 per cent. paid by schemes]
Graduated Retirement Benefit (unit) (pence)	8.11	8.40
Graduated Retirement Benefit (Inherited)	Increase by: 3.60 per cent.
Addition at age 80	0.25	0.25
Severe Disablement Allowance
Basic rate	37.75	39.10
Age-related addition (from December 1990)
Higher rate	13.15	13.60
Middle rate	8.30	8.60
Lower rate	4.15	4.30
Statutory Maternity Pay
Earnings threshold	62.00	64.00
Lower rate	55.70	57.70
Statutory Sick Pay
Earnings threshold	62.00	64.00
Standard rate	55.70	57.70
War Pensions
Disablement Pension (100 per cent. rates)
officer (£ per annum)	5,594.00	5,797.00
other ranks	107.20	111.10
Age allowances
40 per cent.-50 per cent.	7.15	7.40
over 50 per cent. but not over 70 per cent.	11.05	11.45
over 70 per cent. but not over 90 per cent.	15.75	16.30
over 90 per cent.	22.10	22.90
Disablement gratuity
specified minor injury (minimum)	682.00	707.00
specified minor injury (maximum)	5,100.00	5,284.00
unspecified minor injury (minimum)	284.00	294.00
unspecified minor injury (maximum)	6,632.00	6,871.00
Unemployability allowance
personal	66.25	68.65
adult dependency increase	37.35	38.70
increase for first child	9.90	9.90
increase for subsequent children	11.20	11.30
Invalidity allowance
higher rate	13.15	13.60
middle rate	8.30	8.60
lower rate	4.15	4.30
Constant attendance allowance
exceptional rate	81.00	84.00
intermediate rate	60.75	63.00
normal maximum rate	40.50	42.00
part-time rate	20.25	21.00
Comforts allowance
higher rate	17.40	18.00
lower rate	8.70	9.00
Mobility supplement	38.55	39.95
Allowance for lowered standard of occupation (maximum)	40.44	41.88
Exceptionally severe disablement allowance	40.50	42.00
Severe disablement occupational allowance	20.25	21.00
Clothing allowance (£ per annum, maximum)	137.00	142.00
Education allowance (£ per annum maximum)	120.00	120.00
War widow's pension
Widow (private)	81.00	83.90
Widow (NCO)	81.25	84.20
Widow--Officer (£ per annum maximum)	5,010.00	5,190.00
Childless widow u-40 (private)	18.74	19.41
Childless widow u-40 (NCO)	19.02	19.70
Childless widow u-40 (Officer maximum £s per annum)	5,010.00	5,190.00
Supplementary Pension age allowance	52.80	54.70
(a) age 65 to 69	9.25	9.60
(b) age 70 to 79	17.75	18.40
(c) age 80 and over	26.45	27.40
children's allowance
increase for first child (adjusted for child benefit increase)	14.15	14.25
increase for subsequent children	15.45	15.65
Orphan's pension
increase for first child (adjusted for child benefit increase)	15.90	16.05
increase for subsequent children	17.20	17.45
(Unmarried dependant living as spouse maximum)	78.95	81.85
Rent allowance (maximum)	30.65	31.75
Adult orphan's pension (maximum)	62.45	64.70
Widower's pension
private (maximum)	81.00	83.90
officer (£ per annum) maximum	5,010.00	5,190.00
Widow's Benefit
Widow's payment (lump sum)	1,000.00	1,000.00
Widowed mother's allowance	62.45	64.70
Widow's pension
standard rate	62.45	64.70
age-related
age 54 (49)	58.08	60.17
53 (48)	53.71	55.64
52 (47)	49.34	51.11
51 (46)	44.96	46.58
50 (45)	40.59	42.06
49 (44)	36.22	37.53
48 (43)	31.85	33.00
47 (42)	27.48	28.47
46 (41)	23.11	23.94
45 (40)	18.74	19.41

Note:

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

2 Dec 1997 : Column WA185

Earnings top-up (ETU) rates

	Old rates 1997	New rates 1998
Scheme A
Credit
couple	47.65	48.80
single 25 and over	28.75	29.45
single under 25	23.35	23.90
for working 30 hrs + pw	10.55	10.80
Applicable amount (i.e., taper threshold)
couple	77.15	79.00
single 25 and over	59.70	61.15
single under 25	49.45	50.65
Scheme B
Credit
couple	57.50	58.90
single 25 and over	28.75	29.45
single under 25	23.35	23.90
for working 30 hrs + pw	10.55	10.80
Applicable amount (i.e., taper threshold)
couple	77.15	79.00
single 25 and over	77.15	79.00
single under 25	77.15	79.00
Both schemes
Capital
upper limit	8,000.00*
amount disregarded	3,000.00	fixed rates
Tariff income
£1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit	fixed rate	fixed rate

2 Dec 1997 : Column WA186

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