Barometer | 10 January 2013

Welfare state

The government was attacked for wanting to increase benefits by less than inflation. How have benefits changed in real terms since they were introduced? — Unemployment benefit began with the National Insurance Act 1911, when unemployed workers became eligible for payments of seven shillings a week for up to 15 weeks in the year. In 2013 prices seven shillings equates to £33, compared with £71 for Jobseeker’s Allowance. — The state pension began in 1909 when people over 70 with an income of less than £21 a year became eligible for five shillings a week. In 2013 prices this equates to £24, compared with the basic state pension of £107.45.

Child’s pay

David Cameron proposed tax relief for childcare costs. How much do parents pay for full-time childcare for a two-year-old?

% of average wage

Sweden	5
Finland, Denmark	8
Norway, Germany	9
Korea	11
US, Belgium	20
Canada	21
UK, Ireland, France	25
Spain	30
Switzerland	34

Source: OECD

Plaque build-up

English Heritage is to suspend plans for blue plaques commemorating famous people. There are 850 in London. Some other towns which have erected them: — Wolverhampton 90, including one to Sir Rowland Hill — Brighton and Hove 81, including Sir Jack Hobbs and Anita Roddick — Birmingham 80, including Alfred Bird, inventor of custard powder — Manchester 64, including Robert Owen, Friedrich Engels and Emmeline Pankhurst — Loughton, Essex, 35, including Jacob Epstein, sculptor

Last trains

Some of the 40 London Underground stations no longer around for the network’s 150th anniversary: British Museum (Central line, 1900–1933); Down Street (Piccadilly, 1907–1932); Aldwych (Piccadilly, 1907–1994); Bull and Bush (Northern, built 1907 but never opened); St Mary’s (District, 1884–1938); Lord’s (Metropolitan, 1868–1939); Shoreditch (East London, 1876–2006); Tower Subway (line beneath Thames at Tower Hill, opened and closed 1869).