§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table showing in current money terms and in real terms the cost to central Government of (a) unemployment benefit, (b) short-term supplementary benefit and (c) long-term supplementary benefit for each year since 1973–74; and what is his latest estimate for 1982–83.
§ Mr. NewtonThe information requested is as follows:
153W
Unemployment benefit Supplementary allowance Supplementary pension Short-term Long-term Year Current prices 1981–82 Current prices 1981–82 Current prices 1981–82 Current prices 1981–82 prices prices prices prices £ million £ million £ million £ million £ million £ million £ million £ million 1978–79 632 949 1,106 1,661 349 524 801 1,203 1979–80 653 847 1,171 1,519 370 480 895 1,161 1980–81 1,281 1,428 1,591 1,774 502 560 1,079 1,203 1981–82 1,701 1,701 2,737 2,737 685 685 1,418 1,418 1982–83 1,650 † 3,862 † 966 † 1,399 † * Breakdown of supplementary allowance into short-term not available. † Indices for 1982–83 not available until retail price index for March is announced in April.