UNEMPLOYMENT PAY

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 46, 18 November 1929, Page 11

UNEMPLOYMENT PAY

BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S NEW BILL INCREASED CHARGE ON TREASURY (British Official Wireless.) (Rev. November 16, 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, November 15. The Government’s new Unemployment Insurance Bill, the text of which was read to-day, increases the allowances to the wives of unemployed men from 7/-, to 9/- a week, and also increases the allowances to unemployed young men and young womne under 21. Whereas at present unemployment pay is made to boys and girls from the age of 16, the Bill proposes to make an allowance to boys and girls at the age of 15. This provision is to take effect as soon as the age of leaving school is raised from 14 to 15, which the Government proposed to do in 1931. Boys of 15 who are unemployed will then receive an allowance of _6/- a week and girls will be granted 5/-. When the Bill comes into full operation the total charge on the Treasury for Unemployment Insurance will be £24,500,000, the new proposals involving an increase of £12,500,000 over the present expenditure. Members of the Labour Left Wing express dissatisfaction with the Bill. They wish to increase the allowances, notably for men with families. Acceptance of the full scale which they propose would cost the Treasury an additional sum of £11,500,000. Mr. Snowden, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has resisted, these demands on the ground that the money is not available.