§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the gross and net cost of paying unemployed persons a benefit equal to the invalidity benefit after the first six months of unemployment.
§ Mr. OrmeAssuming that the long-term benefit would be of unlimited duration, it is estimated that the additional costs for a full year at average 1978–79 benefit levels would be about £490 million gross, or about £140 million net after allowing for supplementary benefit savings.