§ 20. Mr. PaiceTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest estimate of the numbers of people who will benefit from the measures outlined in "The Way Ahead".
§ Mr. ScottWe estimate that some 850,000 people will benefit from the proposals set out in "The Way Ahead" and the interim measures that we announced in October 1989.
§ Mr. PaiceDoes my right hon. Friend agree that that extra number of people, and the extra £300 million to be spent on implementing the proposals—on top of the fact that we have doubled expenditure in real terms on the long-term sick and disabled since 1978–79—demonstrate clearly that this Government are the caring Government, and that those who would say otherwise have failed when they have had the chance to prove it?
§ Mr. ScottCertainly I agree. One of the most interesting statistics—using money at constant prices—shows that the last Labour Government managed to increase spending on the long-term sick and disabled by some £220 million a year; we have increased it by £370 million.