§ Q11. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Prime Minister what is the most recent estimate of the cost of an extra 10,000 unemployed to the Government in terms of benefits paid out and losses in taxes and national insurance paid in.
§ The Prime MinisterAdditional expenditures associated with unemployment depend on the family commitments of those becoming unemployed. But on average, extra expenditure on unemployment benefit, supplementary benefit, housing benefit and administration is currently estimated for 1983–84 to be about £18.5 million a year for each extra 10,000 unemployed.
Changes in tax and national insurance revenue depend on the causes of the unemployment and there is a wide range of possible effects. No single figure can be given.