§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the total cost in the present financial year of support for the unemployed by supplementary benefit, unemployment benefit and other benefits and allowances; and what were the comparable figures in 1980–81, 1979–80 and 1978–79.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe information is as follows:
£ million 1981–82 1980–81 1979–80 1978–79 Unemployment benefit 1,983 1,281 653 632 Supplementary benefit to unemployed persons 2,000 1,126 727 716 Unemployed people may receive other social security benefits, for example, child benefit, but separate records linked to unemployment or supplementary benefit are not maintained.