§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the planned social security expenditure as a percentage of GDP in(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000 and (e) 2000–01, on the basis of (i) the pre-Budget estimates and (ii) the post Budget estimates, assuming that expenditure on the tax credits introduced in the Budget counts against social security spending; and if he will make a statement. [36394]
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§ Mr. Darling[holding answer 30 March 1998]: Total DSS expenditure in 1996–97 was equivalent to 12 per cent of GDP. Forecasts for DSS expenditure published in the recent Financial Statement and Budget Report for 1997–98 and 1998–99 show that this ratio is expected to fall to 11½ per cent. in both years. The effect on these figures of policies announced in the Budget is negligible.
Spending plans for future years will be announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.