§ Mr. Harold Walkerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current annual cost to public funds of each unemployed worker.
§ Mr. BiffenThe annual cost to public funds of each unemployed worker depends on a number of factors, including the sex, marital status, and benefit entitlements of the unemployed worker; the level of earnings he would receive if he were in employment; and whether he would be employed in the public or private sector. Without making specific assumptions on these and other factors, it is not possible to provide estimates of the cost.