HC Deb 26 July 1993 vol 229 c723W
Mr. Raynsford

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of total expenditure in 1993–94 on(a) income support, (b) housing benefit and (c) council tax benefit; and what these figures would have been if the uprating of the applicable amount for each type of applicant had been 1 per cent. less than the retail prices index.

Mr. Burt

It is estimated that total expenditure on income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit for 1993–94 will be £16,485 million, £8,170 million and £1,630 million respectively.

The estimated expenditure, if income-related benefit rates had been uprated in 1993–94 by 1 per cent. less than the RPI, would be £16,390 million, £8,125 million and £1,615 million respectively.

Notes:

Source: 1989–90–91 Family Expenditure Surveys and the 1991 Annual Statistical Enquiry modelled at 1993–94 prices and benefit levels.

All figures rounded to the nearest £5 million.