The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1983-1987 Parliament

Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on the Maternity Grant – 12 December 1986

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Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on the Maternity Grant on 12th December 1986.

Ms. Richardson Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the precise sum to be paid to mothers eligible for the means-tested maternity grant to be introduced on 6 April 1987; and if he will give details of the information published by his Department which informs women about this new benefit and how to claim.

Mr. Major I expect to make an announcement shortly.

Mr. Clay Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the net annual cost of increasing the maternity grant to £165.

Mr. Major The gross annual cost of increasing maternity grant to £165 would be about £95 million. There would be a consequent saving on supplementary benefit expenditure for single payments for maternity needs. In 1984, the latest year for which records are available, these payments amounted to nearly £13 million.