§ 31. Mr. Riddickasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how Britain's total expenditure on benefits and support for elderly people, as a proportion of gross domestic product, compares with that of other countries in the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. PortilloBritain's total expenditure on the elderly as a proportion of gross domestic product was the third highest in the European Community in 1983, the latest year for which full information is available. Partial figures for 1984 show that Britain's expenditure had increased as a proportion of GDP, whilst that of other countries making a return had declined slightly. Full details are in the table.
Expenditure on programmes for old age as a proportion of GDP at market prices for EC member states (excluding Greece) in 1983 Country Percentage Denmark 10.4 France 9.8 United Kingdom 9.6 Italy 9.5 Netherlands 9.2 Belgium 8.6 West Germany 8.6 Luxembourg 7.8 Ireland 6.1 average 9.3 Source: Eurostat Social Protection Statistical Bulletins, March 1985. Note: Figures include state and occupational pensions and cash benefits for the elderly, expenditure on residential and nursing homes, local authority services for the elderly and other expenditure on the elderly. They do not include the cost of health care or increases in pensions for dependants.