§ 44. Mr. Litherlandasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current cost to the Exchequer in terms of public spending and lost tax revenue of an unemployed worker.
§ Mr. BrittanAdditional expenditure associated with unemployment depends on the characteristics of those becoming unemployed. A broad average figure for additional expenditure on unemployment benefit, supplementary benefit, housing benefit and administration would be of the order of £1,850 a year per additional person, though individual experience would vary.
Changes in tax revenue would depend on the cause of the unemployment and there is a wide range of possible effects. No single figure can be given.