§ 19. Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total social security benefit expenditure so far in 1982 in respect of the unemployed; and how this compares with 1981, 1980 and 1979.
§ Mr. Newton:Total expenditure on unemployment benefit and supplementary benefit for unemployed people was about £1,700 million in the first five months of the financial year 1982–83. The corresponding total for the full year 1981–82 was £4,041 million, for 1980–81 £2,465 million, and for 1979–80 £1,418 million.