§ 43. Mr. McTaggartasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest figure for the total saving in public expenditure caused by the transfer of the responsibility for the payment of sickness benefit to employers.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinAbout £450 million, including administrative savings, in a full year. Under proposals currently out for consultation, compensation arrangements are suggested which will give employers about £660 million in return for the additional sick pay liabilities they will face. After taking account of the yield from the taxation of sick pay and so on, the net reduction in the public sector borrowing requirement is estimated at around £25 million.