§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Secretary of State for Social Security's interview with The Independent (22 May 1995) in which he stated a desire to reduce his budget by attempting to "restrict the numbers entitled", whether they have any reason to believe this policy will result in a reduction of public expenditure as a whole.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Social Security (Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish)My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Social Security made it clear in his interview that it is the Government's intention to make sure that social security benefits go to those who need them. This can be achieved by restricting the number entitled or by removing the need in the first place, either through self-provision or by creating jobs and incentives to take them.
94WAMeasures announced in the last two budgets which help to achieve this objective are expected to reduce projected expenditure by £4 billion a year by the end of the century. Major changes include the introduction of Incapacity Benefit, the strategy to improve the security of benefit payments and to tackle fraud and abuse, and, subject to the passage of the necessary legislation, the new jobseeker's allowance.