§ Mr. GogginsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was spent on social security for the elderly as 219W a proportion of gross domestic product in 1996–97; what he estimates it will be in 2001–02; and what amount this would be if basic state pension had been linked to earnings, excluding the cost of free television licences for the over-75s, Winter Fuel Payments and the Minimum Income Guarantee, but including Income Support. [137903]
§ Mr. RookerIn 1996–97, Social Security benefit expenditure on elderly people accounted for 5.32 per cent. of GDP. The forecasts underlying the most recently published expenditure plans1 show that in 2001–02 the corresponding figure will be 5.33 per cent. of GDP. The corresponding figure for 2001–02 would have been 5.23 per cent. if basic state pension had been linked to earnings, excluding the cost of free TV licences for the over-75s, Winter Fuel Payments and the Minimum Income Guarantee, but including Income Support.
1 Spending Review 2000 plans.