§ Mr. DarlingTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the estimated total cost of long-term unemployment in Scotland in 1996, separately identifying the costs of(a) the jobseeker's allowance, (b) housing benefit and (c) income support; and if he will indicate the number of people in receipt of such benefits. [20974]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table:
Estimated annual cost of long-term unemployment in Scotland—1996 Number of claimants Total weekly benefit £ Implied annual expenditure £ Income support 83,000 4,506,000 234,000,000 Unemployment benefit 13,000 664,000 35,000,000 Housing benefit n/a n/a n/a Notes:
1.The latest available information for expenditure purposes in May 1996. Since jobseeker's allowance was not introduced until October 1996 figures for unemployment benefit have been provided.
2.It has not been possible to include figures on housing benefit since data are not yet available for 1996. Once data are available, analysis is limited to claimants also in receipt of income support.
3.Long-term unemployed has been defined as those claiming unemployment benefit for more than six months and includes those who receive income support only.