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Social Security Spending

Volume 168: debated on Thursday 8 March 1990

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To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the expenditure change in real terms between 1979–80 and 1989–90 for each of the beneficiary groups in table 14.9 of the public expenditure White Paper; and what is the total expenditure change on benefits in real terms during the same period.

[holding answer 5 March 1990]: The information is given in the table.

£ million
1979–80 cash1979–80 at 1989–90 prices1989–90Percentage increase
Elderly people10,13020,41125,55025
Sick and disabled people2,7805,6019,52070
Family3,5707,1939,20028
Unemployed people1,4702,9624,74060
Widows and orphans7601,5311,240-19
Total benefit expenditure18,78037,83750,24633