Elderly People (Expenditure)

HC Deb 02 March 1989 vol 148 cc325-6W

Mr. Hind

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how much public expenditure on the elderly has increased since 1978–79.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Public expenditure on the elderly was £8.6 billion in 1978–79, and has risen to about £23 billion in 1988–89. This represents a real terms increase of 22 per cent. A total of 51 per cent. of benefit expenditure goes to the elderly.