Parish welfare rates to rise

The Employment and Social Security Committee have published their recommended rates for the start of next year, which see a general rise of around 4.2 per cent.Although the numbers set out are not binding on parishes, they mirror the scale rates in welfare which rose in October by 4.2 per cent – the same figure as the increase in the retail price index.The committee recommend that parish welfare for a single householder should increase to £108.50, that the rate for a dependent relative up to 15 should rise to £41.65, and that the married couple allowance should increase to £180.