§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost to the Exchequer of the increase in unemployment from May 1990 to May 1991 in terms of(a) increased social security payments and (b) reduced taxation receipts, both direct and indirect.
§ Mr. MaudeA rise of 100,000 in unemployment is estimated directly to add around £305 million to benefit expenditure in 1991–92—as shown in table 24 of the DSS departmental report, Cm. 1514. Estimates of the effects on tax receipts and public finances as a whole would depend on the assumptions made.