HIGHER BASIC RATES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25269, 22 August 1947, Page 8

HIGHER BASIC RATES

SOCIAL SECURITY . BENEFITS

COST OF £1,000,000 FOR SIX MONTHS

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, August 21.

“On account of the increased costs arising out of the wage adjustments and the cancellation of certain subsidies, it is proposed to increase the basic rates of social security benefits from October 1 next,” said the Minister of Finance (Mr W, Nash) early in his Budget speech.

“All adult beneficiaries, including age benefits, widows’ benefits invalids’ benefits, miners’ benefits, sickness benefits, and unemployment benefits will have the basic rate of benefit increased from £2 a week to £2 5s a week. In cases where the benefit inludes portion payable on account of a wife who is not otherwise qualified to receive a benefit in her own right, her portion will also b.e raised by 5s a week.

“Invalid beneficiaries under 20 years of age will receive £1 15s a week instead of the former rate of £1 10s a week.

“Sickness and unemployment beneficiaries under 20 years of age will nave the basic rates of their benefits increased from £1 a week to £1 5s a week.

The benefit payable in respect of orphan children, which is now 15s 9d a week, will be raised to £1 a week. “The existing universal family benefit of 10s a week for every child under • 6 years of age will be maintained as at present. “The estimated additional cost of increasing these benefits for the remain£l (X)0 000° nthS ° f thiS financial y ear is