§ 30. Mr. Wigleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the total annual cost to the Exchequer, including both benefit payments and loss of tax revenue of a married man with two children, previously on average industrial wages, becoming unemployed.
§ Mr. BrittanBenefit payments would depend on the family's circumstances, but under reasonable assumptions would be about £3,000 at current rates. The man would also be entitled to a full rebate of rent and rates under the housing benefits scheme. This example is not typical of the unemployed population as a whole. Changes in tax revenues associated with changes in unemployment depend on the economic circumstances, and no single estimate can be given.