---

Treasury

Answer

Mr. Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy (a) to review eligibility for Working Families Tax Credit and other benefits to take account of short-term drops in income as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak and (b) to make representation to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to disregard as income on savings any compensation payments paid by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food whose purpose is to finance restocking of farms. [157837] Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply. A new leaflet, WK11, "Foot and Mouth--Financial help you may get if your employment has been disrupted" has been produced to explain the financial help available to people, via the benefit and tax credit systems, whose employment or business is disrupted because of the foot and mouth outbreak. The leaflet is now available on the DSS website and stocks are being issued to local Benefits Agency offices, local authorities and other agencies in affected areas. Compensation for the loss of farmer's stock is treated as a business asset and will be disregarded when estimating income from personal capital.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

366 c619-20W; 157837

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Eligibility Foot and mouth disease Social security benefits Small businesses Working families tax credit

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk