§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total cost to central Government funds at the latest date for which figures are available of benefits for the chronically sick and disabled arising from legislative proposals first introduced in the present Parliament and excluding expenditure on the attendance allowance and other benefits first proposed in the last Parliament; and if he will itemise the expenditure under appropriate headings.
§ Sir K. JosephThe improvements in cash benefits, primarily for sick and disabled people of working age, provided through invalidity pension, including the invalidity allowance, the higher rates for dependent children and the improved wife's earnings rule, are estimated to have increased expenditure from the National Insurance Fund by £12 million in 1971–72 and £24 million in 1972–73. Expenditure on attendance allowance, which although proposed in the last Parliament is being financed and paid for in this, is now running at £28 million a year, and the extension of the allowance at the lower rate introduced last month, which was not proposed by the last Government, will increase the cost from now on. Annual upratings of social security benefits, introduced by this Government, have been of material assistance to all beneficiaries including the chronic sick and disabled.