Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish An the Official Report estimates of the relative cost to central Government of supporting a retired man aged 60 to 64 years, and dependants, compared with the cost of supporting an unemployed man, and dependants, of the same age; and if he will identify the reasons for any variation between the two sums.
Dr. BoysonIt is not possible to make an estimate in the terms requested. A man aged 60 to 64 may give up work under the job release scheme, in which case he will receive a weekly allowance under that scheme. Otherwise, if he is capable of and available for work, he may be entitled to unemployment benefit for up to a year, although if he receives an occupational pension his unemployment benefit will be reduced by the amount by which his pension exceeds £35 a week. If he is not capable of work he may receive incapacity benefit. He may, in any event, be entitled to supplementary benefit at the long-term scale rate, subject to the normal rules, or to housing benefit, or both, whether or not he is available for work.