HC Deb 17 December 1980 vol 996 cc197-8W
Mr. Cockeram

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what expenditure has been incurred on (a) retirement pensions, (b) sickness benefit, (c) widow's benefit, and (d) maternity benefit in the last year for which figures are available as a whole;

(2) what expenditure has been incurred on industrial injury benefit in the last year for which figures are available as a whole;

(3) what expenditure has been incurred on child allowances in the last year for which figures are available as a whole.

(4) what expenditure has been incurred on death grants in the last year for which figures are available as a whole;

(5) what expenditure has been incurred on unemployment benefit in the last year for which figures are available as a whole.

Mrs. Chalker

Expenditure in 1979–80 was as follows:—

£ million
Retirement pensions 8,814
Sickness benefit 595
Widow's benefit 563
Maternity benefit 141
Industrial injury benefit 47
Child benefit 2,830
Death grant 16
Unemployment benefit 653

Mr. Tilley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest available figures on the cost of (a) social security benefits, (b) supplementary benefit, (c) legal aid for divorce, maintenance and all ancillary matters and (d) child benefit increase.

Mrs. Chalker

The cost in 1979–80 was:—

  1. a. social security benefits including supplementary benefit and child benefit increase—£18,000 million.
  2. b. supplementary benefit—£2,155 million.
  3. c. the gross cost of legal aid for defended divorce and all ancillary proceedings including maintenance was about £23½ million. The gross cost of legal advice and assistance for divorce was about £5½ million.
  4. d. child benefit (increase)—£42 million (estimated).