HC Deb 16 July 1980 vol 988 c597W
Dr. McDonald

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the cost of all benefits paid to the unemployed in each financial year since 1970–71.

Mrs. Chalker

Unemployment and supplementary benefit paid to the unemployed was as follows:—

£ million
1970–71 240
1971–72 390
1972–73 390
1973–74 330
1974–75 400
1975–76 820
1976–77 1,110
1977–78 1,340
1978–79 1,330
1979–80 (Provisional) 1,400