(c) crown copyright
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T H I S D O C U M E N T IS T H E P R O P E R T Y O F H E R B R I T A N N I C M A J E S T Y ' S G O V E R N M E N T
Printed
for the Cabinet.
June
1959
T h e circulation of this p a p e r h a s been strictly limited.
for t h e p e r s o n a l use'of:':":
I t is issued
.".
T O P S E C R E T -
-Copy N o .
C. (59) 9 3
2nd June, 1959
CABINET
PROPOSED
CHANGES
IN NATIONAL
ASSISTANCE
M E M O R A N D U M B Y T H E M I N I S T E R O F P E N S I O N S A N D NATIONAL
INSURANCE
A s r e q u e s t e d b y t h e Ministerial C o m m i t t e e o n P e n s i o n s I a m s u b m i t t i n g
h e r e w i t h , for t h e a p p r o v a l of t h e C a b i n e t , drafts of a s h o r t o r a l s t a t e m e n t p r o p o s e d
t o b e m a d e in P a r l i a m e n t a n d of a W h i t e P a p e r . I a m i n d e b t e d t o t h e Chancellor
of t h e D u c h y of L a n c a s t e r for help a n d advice o n t h e draft of t h e former, a n d t o
my colleagues o n t h e Ministerial C o m m i t t e e for suggestions for t h e latter.
2. T h e draft s t a t e m e n t refers briefly t o , a n d the W h i t e P a p e r sets o u t at length,
a set of p r o p o s a l s w h i c h h a v e b e e n c o n s i d e r e d by t h e Ministerial C o m m i t t e e . T h e
i m p l e m e n t a t i o n of these p r o p o s a l s requires a Bill, O r d e r s m a d e u n d e r t h e Bill, a n d
regulations r e q u i r i n g a n affirmative resolution m a d e o n t h e initiative of t h e
N a t i o n a l Assistance B o a r d u n d e r existing p o w e r s . T h e m a i n p u r p o s e of t h e W h i t e
P a p e r is t o bring t o g e t h e r i n t o o n e d o c u m e n t a c o m p r e h e n s i v e s u m m a r y of w h a t
is p r o p o s e d .
3. It m a y b e helpful if I s u m m a r i s e t h e p r o p o s a l s —
(a) I t is p r o p o s e d , subject t o a formal p r o p o s a l being m a d e b y t h e N a t i o n a l
Assistance B o a r d at i t s m e e t i n g o n 10th J u n e , t o increase t h e scale rates
of n a t i o n a l assistance f r o m 45s. Od. t o 50s. Od. a week for single
h o u s e h o l d e r s a n d f r o m 76s. Od. t o 85s. Od. for m a r r i e d couples, w i t h
a p p r o p r i a t e increases in t h e o t h e r rates.
(b) T h e a m o u n t s of b o t h capital a n d i n c o m e w h i c h t h e N a t i o n a l Assistance
B o a r d h a v e to disregard in assessing m e a n s h a v e r e m a i n e d u n c h a n g e d
since 1948. It is p r o p o s e d t o t a k e p o w e r t o alter these disregards a n d
to m a k e increases in t h e m of t h e o r d e r of 50 p e r cent.
(c) I t is p r o p o s e d t o deal w i t h t h e p r o b l e m which n o w arises w h e r e a recipient
of n a t i o n a l assistance h a s i n his h o u s e h o l d a n e a r n i n g m e m b e r of his
family. A t p r e s e n t t h e B o a r d n o r m a l l y limit t h e a m o u n t a l l o w e d f or r e n t
in s u c h cases b y reference t o t h e level of r e n t which, in 1950, their local
advisory c o m m i t t e e advised as being n o r m a l in t h e locality. I n addition,
they t a k e into a c c o u n t a n a s s u m e d c o n t r i b u t i o n of 7s. Od. a week t o w a r d s
the general expenses of t h e h o u s e h o l d in respect of each e a r n i n g m e m b e r .
It is p r o p o s e d t h a t t h e B o a r d should n o w n o r m a l l y t a k e a c c o u n t of t h e
full r e n t - a s they d o i n o t h e r cases —and s h o u l d s u b s t i t u t e for t h e present
flat 7s. Od. a s s u m e d c o n t r i b u t i o n t h e earner's p r o p o r t i o n a t e s h a r e of t h e
full r e n t . This, w o u l d b e presented as t h e final abolition of t h e old
a s s u m e d c o n t r i b u t i o n t o general h o u s e h o l d expenses a n d t h e
i n t r o d u c t i o n of t h e principle t h a t recipients of n a t i o n a l assistance w h o
share a h o u s e h o l d w i t h e a r n i n g m e m b e r s of their families should receive
their s h a r e of t h e a c t u a l rent.
:
4. Subject t o a p p r o v a l b y t h e C a b i n e t of t h e draft s t a t e m e n t a n d W h i t e P a p e r ,
it is p r o p o s e d t o m a k e t h e o n e a n d publish t h e other o n 15th J u n e .
J. A . B . - C .
Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance, W.C. 2, 1st June, 1959. 55285
DRAFT
STATEMENT
I n t h e view of H e r Majesty's G o v e r n m e n t a n d of t h e N a t i o n a l Assistance
B o a r d t h e t i m e h a s c o m e to i m p r o v e t h e s t a n d a r d of provision for t h e p o o r e s t
m e m b e r s of t h e c o m m u n i t y so as t o give t h e m a s h a r e in t h e c o u n t r y ' s increasing
prosperity.
Since 1952 t h e B o a r d , w i t h w h o m , as t h e H o u s e k n o w s , t h e initiative in
p r o p o s i n g increases in the scale rates of n a t i o n a l assistance h a s b e e n p l a c e d by
s t a t u t e , h a s succeeded in c o - o p e r a t i o n w i t h t h e G o v e r n m e n t of t h e d a y in
m a i n t a i n i n g t h e scales of assistance at levels s o m e w h a t better t h a n t h o s e originally
fixed in 1948. T h a t is t h e position t o - d a y .
'
O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e v a r i o u s a m o u n t s of i n c o m e a n d c a p i t a l w h i c h t h e
B o a r d are entitled t o disregard in t h e assessment of n e e d — t h e so-called
" d i s r e g a r d s " — a r e still a t the l e v e l ' i n ""cash t e r m s at w h i c h t h e y w e r e fixed
in 1948.
T h e N a t i o n a l A s s i s t a n c e Board h a v e r e c o m m e n d e d a n d t h e G o v e r n m e n t h a v e
a c c e p t e d a p r o p o s a l to i n c r e a s e ' t h e scale of assistance for a single h o u s e h o l d e r
from t h e p r e s e n t level of 45s. Od. a week t o 50s. Od. a n d for a m a r r i e d c o u p l e f r o m
76s. Od. t b ' 8 5 s . Od. a week, with a p p r o p r i a t e increases in o t h e r r a t e s ;
I t is also p r o p o s e d t o m a k e a s u b s t a n t i a l c h a n g e in t h e a r r a n g e m e n t s w h e r e a
recipient of n a t i o n a l assistance h a s in his h o u s e h o l d a n e a r n i n g m e m b e r of his
family. A t p r e s e n t t h e r e n t t a k e n i n t o a c c o u n t b y t h e Board in these cases is
n o r m a l l y t h a t fixed s o m e y e a r s ago o n t h e advice of local advisory c o m m i t t e e s ,
in m a n y cases less t h a n t h e a c t u a l r e n t . T h e r e is also a c o n t r i b u t i o n of 7s. Od.
a w e e k t o w a r d s t h e g e n e r a l expenses of t h e h o u s e h o l d a s s u m e d t o be m a d e b y t h e
e a r n i n g m e m b e r . I t is p r o p o s e d in f u t u r e n o r m a l l y to t a k e a c c o u n t of t h e full
r e n t , t o a b a n d o n t h e c o n c e p t of an a s s u m e d c o n t r i b u t i o n t o g e n e r a l h o u s e h o l d
expenses a n d i n s t e a d t o assess n a t i o n a l assistance o n t h e basis t h a t t h e e a r n i n g
m e m b e r ' o f t h e h o u s e h o l d a n d t h e recipient of assistance e a c h c o n t r i b u t e their o w n
s h a r e of t h e t o t a l r e n t .
It is p r o p o s e d t o m a k e increases in the d i s r e g a r d s of capital, o t h e r t h a n w a r
savings, a n d of i n c o m e of the o r d e r of 50 p e r cent. T h e increases in n a t i o n a l assistance will apply generally t o recipients of
assistance, including those w h o d r a w it as a s u p p l e m e n t t o r e t i r e m e n t p e n s i o n or
t o u n e m p l o y m e n t or o t h e r n a t i o n a l i n s u r a n c e benefits as weli as to t h o s e w h o rely
solely o n assistance, either for l o n g or s h o r t p e r i o d s .
I t is sometimes suggested t h a t an a p p l i c a t i o n for n a t i o n a l assistance c a n involve
s o m e loss of self respect. T h i s is q u i t e w r o n g . T h o s e w h o are in n e e d a r e entitled
as of fight to assistance, just as they a n d o t h e r citizens are entitled t o o t h e r State
benefits. I t h i n k t h a t h o n . M e m b e r s o n b o t h sides of the House',' a n d p e o p l e
outside, will join m e in expressing the h o p e t h a t all t h o s e w h o are in need will m a k e
use o f the State p r o v i s i o n to w h i c h they a r e entitled. A s h a s often b e e n e m p h a s i s e d
in this H o u s e , there c a n be Complete confidence t h a t t h e N a t i o n a l Assistance B o a r d
a n d its officers a d m i n i s t e r this f o r m of social service h u m a n e l y a n d sympathetically.
W e are considering w i t h t h e B o a r d w h e t h e r the t e r m i n o l o g y used in O r d e r B o o k s
a n d o t h e r d o c u m e n t s c a n b e i m p r o v e d so as' t o o b v i a t e ' a n y possibility of
misunderstanding.
'' - ' '-'
' " "
'
;
1
:
!
Legislation will be n e e d e d t o e n a b l e changes t o b e m a d e in t h o s e d i s r e g a r d s
w h i c h are fixed by s t a t u t e , a n d I a m t o - d a y giving' notice of p r e s e n t a t i o n of the
necessary Bill. I h a v e also t o - d a y laid the' necessary' regulations t o give effect to
the i m p r o v e m e n t s in scale rates a n d o t h e r c h a n g e s . A ' W h i t e P a p e r setting o u t
the p r o p o s a l s in full will b e available at the Vote Office at 4 o'clock this afternoon.
T h e s e p r o p o s a l s will cost atbout £32 millions in a full y e a r a n d , subject t o the
a p p r o v a l of P a r l i a m e n t , it is p r o p o s e d to b r i n g t h e m all i n t o o p e r a t i o n early in
September.
;
June
1959.
T O P SECRET
MINISTRY
OF PENSIONS A N D NATIONAL
INSURANCE Draft White Paper on Proposed Changes in National Assistance Presented to Parliament by the Minister of Pensions and National
by Command of Her Majesty
lune 1959
LONDON
HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY
NET
Cmnd.
OFFICE
Insurance
D R A F T W H I T E P A P E R O N P R O P O S E D C H A N G E S IN
NATIONAL
ASSISTANCE
INTRODUCTORY
1. H e r M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t a n d t h e N a t i o n a l A s s i s t a n c e B o a r d h a v e
b e e n c o n s i d e r i n g t h e p o s i t i o n of t h o s e o n N a t i o n a l A s s i s t a n c e a n d h a v e r e a c h e d
t h e c o n c l u s i o n t h a t t h e t i m e h a s c o m e w h e n it is r i g h t t o m o v e t o a h i g h e r
s t a n d a r d , s o giving t h e m a s h a r e in i n c r e a s i n g n a t i o n a l p r o s p e r i t y .
2. D r a f t r e g u l a t i o n s h a v e t h e r e f o r e b e e n l a i d b e f o r e P a r l i a m e n t w h i c h
p r o v i d e for i n c r e a s i n g t h e scale r a t e s of N a t i o n a l A s s i s t a n c e a n d for c e r t a i n
o t h e r c h a n g e s r e l a t i n g t o t h e c o m p u t a t i o n of r e q u i r e m e n t s a n d r e s o u r c e s for
National Assistance purposes. A m e m o r a n d u m by the National Assistance
B o a r d e x p l a i n i n g t h e s e R e g u l a t i o n s is a n n e x e d . A Bill is also b e i n g p r e s e n t e d
f o r t h w i t h t o e m p o w e r t h e M i n i s t e r of P e n s i o n s a n d N a t i o n a l I n s u r a n c e t o
i n c r e a s e b y O r d e r t h e a m o u n t s of c a p i t a l a n d c e r t a i n f o r m s of i n c o m e w h i c h
t h e B o a r d a r e r e q u i r e d by S t a t u t e t o d i s r e g a r d i n c o m p u t i n g r e s o u r c e s .
THE MAIN
National Assistance
Scale
CHANGES
Rates
3. H e r M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t h a v e a c c e p t e d p r o p o s a l s m a d e by t h e
N a t i o n a l A s s i s t a n c e B o a r d , a n d draft R e g u l a t i o n s ( T h e D r a f t N a t i o n a l
A s s i s t a n c e ( D e t e r m i n a t i o n of N e e d ) R e g u l a t i o n s ) h a v e i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h
Section 6 of t h e N a t i o n a l A s s i s t a n c e A c t , 1948, b e e n m a d e in t h e f o r m of t h e
draft s u b m i t t e d b y t h e B o a r d a n d laid f o r t h e a p p r o v a l of P a r l i a m e n t .
These
R e g u l a t i o n s p r o p o s e t o i n c r e a s e t h e scale r a t e s of a s s i s t a n c e for a single
h o u s e h o l d e r f r o m t h e p r e s e n t 4 5 s . t o 50s. a w e e k , a n d f o r a m a r r i e d c o u p l e
f r o m 76s. t o 8 5 s . a w e e k , p l u s in e a c h c a s e a n a l l o w a n c e for r e n t ( i n c l u d i n g
r a t e s ) , a n d w i t h a p p r o p r i a t e increases in o t h e r r a t e s of a s s i s t a n c e . T h e p r o ­
p o s a l s a r e e x p l a i n e d in d e t a i l i n t h e a n n e x e d M e m o r a n d u m by t h e N a t i o n a l
Assistance Board.
Rent and Assumed
Contributions
4. A t p r e s e n t w h e r e t h e r e c i p i e n t of a s s i s t a n c e is a h o u s e h o l d e r w h o s e
household includes an earning member the Board ordinarily m a k e an
a l l o w a n c e for r e n t l i m i t e d b y reference t o w h a t w a s a d v i s e d i n 1950 t o b e
t h e g e n e r a l level of r e n t s i n t h e locality. T h e y also t a k e i n t o a c c o u n t a n
a s s u m e d c o n t r i b u t i o n t o g e n e r a l h o u s e h o l d e x p e n s e s of 7 s . a w e e k i n r e s p e c t
of a n e a r n i n g m e m b e r . I t is p r o p o s e d u n d e r t h e n e w R e g u l a t i o n s t o a b o l i s h
t h e p r e s e n t flat-rate 7 s . c o n t r i b u t i o n t o g e n e r a l h o u s e h o l d e x p e n s e s , a n d
n o r m a l l y t o a l l o w for t h e full r e n t ; i n f u t u r e r e c i p i e n t s of N a t i o n a l A s s i s t a n c e
s h a r i n g t h e i r h o u s e h o l d w i t h e a r n i n g m e m b e r s will n o r m a l l y receive t h e i r
p r o p o r t i o n a t e s h a r e of t h e a c t u a l rent, w h i l e e a r n i n g m e m b e r s of t h e h o u s e ­
h o l d will b e a s s u m e d t o c o n t r i b u t e their p r o p o r t i o n a t e s h a r e of t h e r e n t a n d
n o t h i n g else.
Capital and Income
Disregards,
T l i e p r o p o s e d Bill will give the M i n i s t e r of P e n s i o n s a n d N a t i o n a l
a n c e p o w e r , b y O r d e r , t o i n c r e a s e t h e a m o u n t s of c a p i t a l ( o t h e r t h a n w a r
savings) a n d i n c o m e a t p r e s e n t specified in t h e S e c o n d S c h e d u l e to t h e N a t i o n a l
A s s i s t a n c e A c t , 1948. A n y O r d e r so m a d e will b e subject t o t h e a p p r o v a l by
affirmative r e s o l u t i o n of e a c h H o u s e of P a r l i a m e n t , e x c e p t in t h e c a s e of a n
O r d e r m a d e within a m o n t h of t h e p a s s i n g of t h e Bill, w h i c h will b e s u b j e c t t o
n e g a t i v e r e s o l u t i o n o n l y . T h i s e x c e p t i o n is to e n a b l e t h e c h a n g e s w h i c h the
G o v e r n m e n t p r o p o s e in t h e c a p i t a l a n d i n c o m e d i s r e g a r d s to b e c o m e effective
at t h e s a m e t i m e as t h e c h a n g e s i n t h e scale r a t e s of A s s i s t a n c e .
O
6. If P a r l i a m e n t a p p r o v e s t h e s e p r o p o s a l s , t h e G o v e r n m e n t i n t e n d t o
i n c r e a s e t h e a m o u n t of c a p i t a l a s s e t s (other t h a n w a r savings) w h i c h t h e
National Assistance B o a r d are required completely to disregard from £50 to
£100, a n d t o r a i s e t h e limit a b o v e w h i c h assistance m a y n o t b e p a i d f r o m £400
to £ 6 0 0 . T h e G o v e r n m e n t a l s o i n t e n d to i n c r e a s e a m o u n t s w h i c h t h e
S c h e d u l e r e q u i r e s t h e B o a r d t o d i s r e g a r d out of c e r t a i n specified f o r m s of
i n c o m e t o 15s. a w e e k w h e r e 10s. 6d. a w e e k is at p r e s e n t p r e s c r i b e d (for
e x a m p l e , for o c c u p a t i o n a l p e n s i o n , o r F r i e n d l y Society o r T r a d e s U n i o n sick
p a y ) , a n d t o 30s. a w e e k w h e r e 20s. is n o w p r e s c r i b e d (for e x a m p l e , for a
w a r disability o r i n d u s t r i a l injuries d i s a b l e m e n t p e n s i o n ) .
7. A n y O r d e r m a d e u n d e r t h e p o w e r w h i c h is b e i n g s o u g h t t o i n c r e a s e the
a m o u n t s of r e s o u r c e s d i s r e g a r d e d u n d e r t h e N a t i o n a l A s s i s t a n c e A c t will also
m a k e c o r r e s p o n d i n g i n c r e a s e s for t h e p u r p o s e of t h e d i s r e g a r d s t o b e a p p l i e d
in d e c i d i n g a p p l i c a t i o n s for legal aid, in so far as t h e s e a r e g o v e r n e d b y t h e
National Assistance Act.
Other Matters
8. T h e draft R e g u l a t i o n s s u b m i t t e d by t h e N a t i o n a l A s s i s t a n c e B o a r d
also p r o v i d e for increases in t h e a m o u n t to b e d i s r e g a r d e d o u t of e a r n i n g s .
COST
9. I t is e s t i m a t e d t h a t t h e cost in a full y e a r of t h e p r o p o s e d increases
in the scale r a t e s of N a t i o n a l A s s i s t a n c e will b e a b o u t £ 2 7 m i l l i o n ; t h a t t h e
c h a n g e s w h i c h t h e G o v e r n m e n t p r o p o s e to m a k e in t h e a m o u n t s of d i s r e g a r d e d
r e s o u r c e s , u n d e r t h e p o w e r s w h i c h w o u l d b e given by t h e Bill, will cost a b o u t
£ 2 m i l l i o n in a full y e a r ; a n d t h a t t h e o t h e r c h a n g e s p r o p o s e d in t h e draft
R e g u l a t i o n s in r e l a t i o n to e a r n i n g s a n d rent will cost a b o u t £ 3 million in a
full y e a r . T h e total cost, in a full y e a r , will, t h e r e f o r e , b e of t h e o r d e r of
£32 m i l l i o n .
DATE OF
OPERATION
10. It is i n t e n d e d t h a t all t h e n e w provisions s h o u l d , subject t o
a p p r o v a l of P a r l i a m e n t , c o m e i n t o o p e r a t i o n o n S e p t e m b e r 7, 1959.
the
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM BY THE NATIONAL ASSISTANCE BOARD ON THE DRAFT NATIONAL ASSISTANCE
(DETERMINATION OF NEED) REGULATIONS, 1959
1. These Regulations replace with amendments the Regulations under
which the officers of the National Assistance Board determine whether a
person is in need of an allowance under Part II of the National Assistance
Act, 1948, and, if so, how much should be granted. They have been made
by the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance in the terms of a draft
submitted by the Board and require the approval of each House of Parliament
before they can become operative. Subject to such approval, Regulations
will be made in the terms of the draft to come into operation on 7th September,
1959.
2. The regulations will replace the regulations of 1957( ) which, by
amendment of the regulations of 1948,( ) prescribe the current scale rates
which came into force on 27th January, 1958. They will also replace the
other provisions of the 1948 regulations, including the amendment made by
the regulations of 1952( ) regarding assistance to persons maintained in
accommodation provided under Part III of the National Assistance. Act, 1948.
The new regulations will thus deal with all the matters which require to be
dealt with in regulations made under Section 6 of the Act.
3. The major changes proposed are those in the scales, that is, in the
sums prescribed by the Regulations for requirements other than rent and
rates, which are allowed for separately. The scales, which came into
operation in 1948, have since then been increased six times and more than
fully maintain the value of the original scales of 1948. The Board have
now, however, thought it right to propose some raising of standards. The
scales at present in force and those now proposed are as follows: —
1
2
3
Present
rates
Ordinary Scale:—
(a) For a husband and wife
(6) For a person who is living alone, or is a householder
and, as such, is directly responsible for rent and
household necessaries
(c) For any other person, being—
(i) aged 21 years or over
(ii) aged 18 years or over but less than 21 years ...
(iii) aged 16 years or over but less than 18 years ...
(iv) aged 11 years or over but less than 16 years ...
(v) aged 5 years or over but less than 11 years ...
(vi) aged under 5 years
1
New
rates
s.
76
d.
0
s.
85
d.
0
45
0
50
0
41
31
26
20
17
14
0
6
0
0
0
6
46
36
30
23
19
16
0
0
0
0
0
0
C ) The National Assistance (Determination of Need) Amendment Regulations, 1957
(S I 1957/2072).
" ( ) The National Assistance (Determination of Need) Regulations, 1948 (S.I. 1948/1334).
( ) The National Assistance (Determination of Need) Amendment Regulations, 1952
(S.I. 1952/873).
2
3
T h e r a t e s in a special scale a p p l i c a b l e t o blind p e r s o n s a n d p e r s o n s w h o
ha$i%ifFered a loss of i n c o m e in o r d e r t o u n d e r g o t r e a t m e n t for t u b e r c u l o s i s
of tire r e s p i r a t o r y s y s t e m , will a l s o b e increased a s f o l l o w s : —
New
rates
Present
rates
Special Scale:— (a) For a husband and wife—
(i) of whom one is such a person
(ii) of whom both are such persons
(b) For any other such person, being—
(i) aged 21 years or over (ii) aged 18 years or over but less than 21 years ...
(iii) aged 16 years or over but less than 18 years ...
s. d.
s.
d.
96
110
0
0
107
122
6
6
65
48
40
0
6
0
72
55
45
6
0
0
4. T h e effect of t h e p r o p o s a l s r e g a r d i n g scale rates is t o increase t h e
o r d i n a r y s c a l e r a t e f o r a m a r r i e d c o u p l e b y 9s. a n d for a single a d u l t b y 5 s .
T h e i n c r e a s e s for o t h e r p e r s o n s i n c l u d i n g d e p e n d e n t c h i l d r e n v a r y a c c o r d i n g
t o a g e . F o r e x a m p l e , u n d e r t h e o r d i n a r y scale a m a r r i e d c o u p l e w i t h t h r e e
c h i l d r e n a g e d 12, 8 a n d 3 y e a r s p a y i n g a r e n t of 15s. a w e e k c o u l d a t p r e s e n t
e x p e c t t o h a v e their i n c o m e , i n c l u d i n g family allowances, m a d e u p t o a t l e a s t
£7 2 s . 6d. a week. U n d e r t h e Regulations n o w put forward they could expect
t o h a v e t h e i r i n c o m e m a d e u p t o a t least £ 7 18s. Od., an i n c r e a s e of 15s. 6d.
T h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g figure u n d e r t h e R e g u l a t i o n s of 1948 w o u l d h a v e b e e n
£4 2s. a week.
5 . T h e special scale f o r b l i n d a n d for certain t u b e r c u l o u s p e r s o n s is b e i n g
i n c r e a s e d b y r a t h e r m o r e t h a n t h e o r d i n a r y s c a l e : in the s p e c i a l scale r a t e s
w h i c h a p p l y m o s t often t h e excess o v e r t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g r a t e s in t h e o r d i n a r y
s c a l e , n o w 2 0 s . , will b e c o m e 2 2 s . 6 d . F o r e x a m p l e , the r e q u i r e m e n t s of a
b l i n d m a n w i t h a sighted wife p a y i n g a r e n t of 15s. a week will b e assessed
at £ 6 2 s . 6 d . a week, c o m p a r e d w i t h £ 5 if b o t h p a r t n e r s w e r e s i g h t e d .
6. A s s i s t a n c e h a s s o m e t i m e s t o b e fixed b y reference t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n s
w h i c h m a k e t h e scale r a t e s i n a p p l i c a b l e o r i n a p p r o p r i a t e a n d w h e n this is s o
t h e a p p l i c a n t ^ i n c o m e m a y b e i n c r e a s e d b y less t h a n t h e n o r m a l a m o u n t ;
t h u s i n t h e c a s e of p e r s o n s p a y i n g a n inclusive c h a r g e f o r b o a r d i n g a n d l o d g i n g
d i s c r e t i o n h a s t o b e e x e r c i s e d t o g r a n t assistance a t a r a t e w h i c h leaves a
r e a s o n a b l e a m o u n t f o r o t h e r e x p e n s e s after meeting t h e inclusive c h a r g e .
7. A p a r t from t h e c h a n g e s in t h e scales a n d w i t h t w o o t h e r e x c e p t i o n s
m e n t i o n e d b e l o w , t h e draft R e g u l a t i o n s r e p r o d u c e i n s u b s t a n c e t h e p r o v i s i o n s
of t h e 1948 R e g u l a t i o n s (including t h e a m e n d m e n t referred t o in p a r a g r a p h 2)
a n d of P a r t 1 of t h e S c h e d u l e t o t h o s e R e g u l a t i o n s w h i c h p r e s c r i b e s rules f o r
t h e c o m p u t a t i o n of r e q u i r e m e n t s , i n c l u d i n g t h e a l l o w a n c e s t o b e m a d e for
r e n t . T h e e x c e p t i o n s a r e as follows : —
(1) in c o n n e c t i o n with t h e c h a n g e referred to i n p a r a g r a p h 8 (2), t h e
r e f e r e n c e t o " t h e g e n e r a l level of r e n t s in t h e locality " in t h e p a r a g r a p h
a b o u t r e n t a l l o w a n c e s in P a r t 1 of t h e Schedule is o m i t t e d , a n d
(2) t h e m a x i m u m a m o u n t w h i c h m a y b e paid u n d e r t h a t p a r a g r a p h b y
w a y of r e n t a l l o w a n c e t o a p e r s o n living as a m e m b e r of s o m e o n e else's
h o u s e h o l d i s r a i s e d f r o m 10s. t o 15s.
A s a m a t t e r of f o r m , t h e effect of Section 5 (4) of t h e N a t i o n a l A s s i s t a n c e
A c t , w h i c h r e q u i r e s t h e R e g u l a t i o n s to p r o v i d e for t h e rules as t o difT^rard
laid d o w n in t h e s e c o n d S c h e d u l e to t h e A c t t o be followed in compusffi^ t h e
r e s o u r c e s of a n a p p l i c a n t , is n o w a c h i e v e d b y a p r o v i s i o n ( R e g u l a t i o n 2) in
t h e b o d y of t h e R e g u l a t i o n s .
8. A s a result of t h e c h a n g e in R e g u l a t i o n 2 m e n t i o n e d a b o v e , t h e
s t a t u t o r y d i s r e g a r d s a r e n o t r e p e a t e d in P a r t I I of t h e S c h e d u l e t o t h e
R e g u l a t i o n s , w h i c h c o n t a i n s rules for c o m p u t i n g r e s o u r c e s n o t l a i d d o w n in
detail in t h e A c t . T h e r e m a i n i n g p r o v i s i o n s of P a r t I I differ f r o m t h e
c o r r e s p o n d i n g p r o v i s i o n s of t h e 1948 R e g u l a t i o n s in t h e following r e s p e c t s : —
(1) C h a n g e s a r e m a d e in t h e p r o v i s i o n s r e l a t i n g t o t h e t r e a t m e n t of
e a r n i n g s b y a p e r s o n receiving a s s i s t a n c e , o r by a d e p e n d a n t of s u c h
a p e r s o n . A m i n i m u m of 30s. a w e e k t o g e t h e r w i t h half of t h e n e x t
20s. of a n y e a r n i n g s a b o v e t h a t a m o u n t is s u b s t i t u t e d for t h e s u m
of 20s. w h i c h m a y a t p r e s e n t b e d i s r e g a r d e d o u t of t h e e a r n i n g s of o l d
p e o p l e a n d o t h e r s n o t r e q u i r e d t o register for e m p l o y m e n t ; t h e s u m
of 15s. a w e e k is s u b s t i t u t e d for t h e 10s. w h i c h m a y a t p r e s e n t b e
d i s r e g a r d e d in t h e c a s e of a p e r s o n r e q u i r e d t o register for e m p l o y m e n t ;
a n d t h e s u m of 15s. is s u b s t i t u t e d for t h e p r o p o r t i o n of o n e - t h i r d of t h e
e a r n i n g s of a d e p e n d a n t a g e d u n d e r 16, w h i c h will h a v e t h e effect of
i n c r e a s i n g t h e a m o u n t t o b e d i s r e g a r d e d o u t of a n y e a r n i n g s b y a
dependent child before they are taken into account against the
a l l o w a n c e m a d e for h i m .
(2) C o n t r i b u t i o n s t o h o u s e h o l d e x p e n s e s a r e a s s u m e d t o b e m a d e by
n o n - d e p e n d e n t m e m b e r s of t h e h o u s e h o l d of a p e r s o n ( o t h e r t h a n
a b l i n d p e r s o n o r t h e h u s b a n d or wife of a blind p e r s o n ) receiving
assistance. A t p r e s e n t a s u m of 7 s . (with a b a t e m e n t s for m e m b e r s
e a r n i n g s m a l l a m o u n t s ) is t a k e n i n t o a c c o u n t w h a t e v e r t h e r e n t p a i d
b y t h e h o u s e h o l d e r . T h i s p r o v i s i o n is r e p l a c e d by a p r o v i s i o n for a n
a s s u m e d c o n t r i b u t i o n n o t e x c e e d i n g a p r o p o r t i o n a t e s h a r e of t h e r e n t .
T h e a l l o w a n c e m a d e for r e n t in s u c h cases will t h e n o r d i n a r i l y b e t h e full
a m o u n t of t h e n e t r e n t p a i d by t h e h o u s e h o l d e r a n d t h e fixing of a " r e a s o n a b l e
r e n t " by r e f e r e n c e t o t h e g e n e r a l level of r e n t s in t h e locality will n o l o n g e r
be necessary.
9. T h e d i s c r e t i o n a r y p o w e r s w h i c h f o r m a n i m p o r t a n t p a r t of t h e
R e g u l a t i o n s will c o n t i n u e t o be e x e r c i s e d in a n y c a s e w h e r e special
c i r c u m s t a n c e s so r e q u i r e . I n t h e exercise of their g e n e r a l d i s c r e t i o n a r y
p o w e r s t h e B o a r d p r o p o s e , h a v i n g r e g a r d t o t h e increases p r o p o s e d b y t h e
G o v e r n m e n t in t h e a m o u n t s w h i c h t h e S e c o n d S c h e d u l e to t h e N a t i o n a l
A s s i s t a n c e A c t r e q u i r e s t o b e d i s r e g a r d e d f r o m c e r t a i n f o r m s of i n c o m e , t o
i n c r e a s e c o r r e s p o n d i n g l y f r o m 10s. 6d. a w e e k t o 15s. t h e a m o u n t o r d i n a r i l y
d i s r e g a r d e d f r o m c e r t a i n o t h e r f o r m s of i n c o m e i n c l u d i n g v o l u n t a r y a l l o w a n c e s
f r o m friends or r e l a t i v e s a n d p a y m e n t s f r o m charities o r b e n e v o l e n t
associations.
National Assistance Board,
June, 1959. 55279
Wt.
/
K
6/59
F.O.P.
Printed and published by
HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE
To be purchased from York House, Kingsway, London w.c.2 423 Oxford Street, London w.l 13A Castle Street, Edinburgh 2 109 St. Mary Street, Cardiff 39 King Street, Manchester 2 Tower Lane, Bristol 1 2 Edmund Street, Birmingham 3 80 Chichester Street, Belfast or through any bookseller Printed
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