HC Deb 13 December 1984 vol 69 c570W
31. Mr. Tony Lloyd

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total cost to the Exchequer in terms of lost receipts and extra expenditure of the increase in unemployment over the most recent 12 months for which figures are available.

Mr. Peter Rees

Additional expenditure from the increase in unemployment over the 12 months to November 1984 is estimated to be about £269 million assuming the extra unemployed have average family circumstances.

Changes in revenue depend upon the causes of unemployment, and there is a wide range of possible effects. No single estimate can be given.