Concessions to the Unemployed The figure of £62,200,000, suggested by
the Daily Telegraph as representing the surplus of the Unemployment Insurance Fund, on December 31st, 1937, is no doubt at any rate approximately correct. This is a large sum and much could be done with it. Many different recommendations of course have been made—increase of benefit, reduction of contribu- tions, reduction of the waiting period before benefits may be received (now three days), assistance for seasonal workers, &c. But a decision must ultimately depend on whether it is Labour as a whole or the unemployed alone who are most in need of concessions. Probably stronger claims can be invoked by the latter. There is much to be said for a decision to raise unemployment benefits by 6d. or Is. Perhaps an increased allowance for children would represent the fairest allotment of the surplus. The difficulty no doubt is that any increase might have to be withdrawn if a new depression laid a heavy strain on the fund.
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