HC Deb 22 June 1995 vol 262 cc383-4W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate he has made of the administrative cost for(a) the preparation for the implementation of the jobseeker's allowance and (b) the actual implementation of the jobseeker's allowance. [29727]

Miss Widdecombe

Initial estimates of the one-off administrative costs of implementing the jobseeker's allowance, including both preparation and actual implementation, and the back-to-work bonus were £280 million over the period 1995–96 to 1997–98. This figure is currently being reviewed, following the decision to defer the full operation of JSA to October 1996.