§ 26. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest estimate of the total cost to public funds of an extra 10,000 unemployed.
§ Mr. BrittanAdditional expenditure on unemployment benefit, supplementary benefit, rent and rate rebates and administration would depend on the characteristics of those becoming unemployed, but an average figure for an extra 10,000 registered unemployed—excluding school leavers—would be of the order of £18 million in 1982–83.
Changes in tax receipts associated with an increase in unemployment will depend on a number of factors. Depending on the cause of the increase in unemployment, there is a wide range of possible effects on the public finances. No single figure can be given.