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Mr. Nigel Evans
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the change in real terms in social security spending in each year since 1978; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Scott
Details of total social security spending from 1978–79 to 1992–93 are in the table.
| Expenditure in £ million | Percentage change in real terms over previous year | ||
| Years | Cash | 1992–93 prices | Per cent. |
| 1978–79 | 16,602 | 46,341 | — |
| 1979–80 | 19,616 | 46,927 | 1·27 |
| 1980–81 | 23,751 | 48,017 | 2·32 |
| 1981–82 | 28,963 | 53,397 | 11·21 |
| 1982–83 | 33,000 | 56,794 | 6·36 |
| 1983–84 | 36,881 | 60,666 | 6·82 |
| 1984–85 | 39,957 | 62,553 | 3·11 |
| 1985–86 | 43,502 | 64,577 | 3·24 |
| 1986–87 | 46,859 | 67,393 | 4·36 |
| 1987–88 | 49,145 | 66,998 | -0·59 |
| 1988–89 | 49,967 | 63,496 | -5·23 |
| 1989–90 | 53,026 | 63,227 | -0–42 |
| 1990–91 | 59,497 | 65,683 | 3·89 |
| 1991–92 | 69,048 | 71,465 | 8·80 |
| 1992–93 | 78,343 | 78,343 | 9·62 |
Notes:
1. 1992–93 figures are estimated outturn.
2. The real terms decrease over the period 1987–88 to 1989–90 is largely attributable to the fall in unemployment since 1986.