Sick and Disabled People

HC Deb 05 July 1993 vol 228 cc41-2W

26. Mr. Robathan

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the most recent figure for the average increase in spending on long-term sick and disabled people since 1979; and what were the comparable figures for the period 1974 to 1979.

Mr. Scott

During 1992–93 we spent almost £15 billion on benefits for long-term sick and disabled people. This represents an annual increase of £700 million per year since 1979 at 1992–93 prices, double the annual increase between 1974 and 1979.