HC Deb 07 April 1977 vol 929 c662W
Mr. Anthony Grant

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the total cost to public funds of payments and other benefits to the unemployed from February 1974 to the latest convenient date.

Mr. Deakins

The total public expenditure on unemployment benefit and supplementary allowances paid to the unemployed in the period from 1st February 1974 to 31st December 1976 is estimated to have been £2,125 million.