HC Deb 03 May 1991 vol 190 cc352-3W
Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 17 April,Official Report, column 192–93, regarding social security expenditure, if he will give the same information including expenditure on the unemployed.

Mr. Jack

Details of total social security spending from 1978–79 to 1990–91 are given in the table.

Miss Widdecombe

Data on help with housing costs are not readily available for years prior to 1983–84. The available information is in the table.

Council rents (rent rebates) Community charge benefit and rate rebates
£ million £ million
1983–84 1,980 1,218
1984–85 2,145 1,354
1985–86 2,296 1,479
1986–87 2,420 1,635
1987–88 2,506 1,701
1988–89 2,680 1,373
1989–90 2,856 1,460
1990–91 3,180 2,272