§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the cost of unemployment and social security benefits arising out of unemployment in 1974;
(2) what is the estimated present cost in terms of unemployment and social security benefits of having 1 million persons unemployed for one year.
§ Mr. Alec JonesIt is estimated that in the year ended 31st March 1975 the cost of unemployment benefit and of supplementary allowances paid to unemployed persons was £435 million. At the rates of benefit and allowances which came into force this month, the cost for 1 million unemployed for a year would be about £840 million.
The current standard weekly rate of flat rate unemployment benefit is £9.80. During the year ended 31st March 1975 the rate was £7.35 until the week beginning 22nd July 1974 and £8.60 thereafter.