Social Security Expenditure Forecast

HL Deb 15 June 1998 vol 590 cc111-2WA

Lord Tebbit

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they expect the costs of welfare (excluding the NHS and education) to continue to rise for the foreseeable future. [HL2093]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)

The estimated cost of social security expenditure for 1998–99 is in the 1998 Social Security Departmental Report (Cm 3913). Government spending plans for future years (1999–2000 to 2001–2002) will be published after completion of the Comprehensive Spending Review).