HC Deb 18 July 1984 vol 64 cc259-60W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much was spent on cash benefits in 1983–84 for the short-term and long-term sick and disabled; and what percentage increase this is in real terms on the provision in 1979.

Mr. Newton

Expenditure on short-term and long-term sick and disabled is estimated to be £4,290 million in 1983–84, which represents a real increase of 6 per cent. since 1979–80. This takes account of a reduction in expenditure for short-term sickness due to the introduction of statutory sick pay from April 1983.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which benefits are included in the £4,000 million spent on cash benefits for the long-term sick and disabled in 1983–84; how much was spent on each benefit; how many people received each one; and what has been the percentage increase in the real value of each benefit and in the number of people receiving each one.

Mr. Newton

The table analyses the expenditure on the long-term sick and disabled shown in the public expenditure White Paper (Cmnd 9143 Vol. II) table 2.12.3 for 1983–84 by benefit and shows the change in numbers since 1979–80:

Benefit Estimated expenditure in 1983–84 £ million Estimated numbers in 1983–84 (000's)* Percentage change in numbers since 1979–80
Invalidity Benefit 1,798 725 17
Industrial disablement benefit and other industrial injuries benefits 374 190 -7
Attendance Allowance 495 445 56
Invalid Care Allowance 10 10 35

Benefit Estimated expenditure in 1983–84 £ million Estimated numbers in 1983–84 (000's)* Percentage change in numbers since 1979–80
Non-contributory invalidity pension 179 205 24
Mobility Allowance 303 315 125
Christmas Bonus 13 1,300 43
War Disablement Pensions 349 240 -14
Supplementary Allowance 244 225 †2
Housing Benefit 211 N/A N/A

Notes:

* The numbers represent the average numbers receiving each benefit; some individuals may be receiving more than one benefit.

† The percentage change for supplementary allowance includes the effect of the introduction of Housing Benefit.

The real increases in the main rates of these benefits between November 1978 and November 1983 are as follows:

Benefit Real increase per cent.
Invalidity Pension:
Single person -1.0
Married couple -1.0
Industrial Disablement Pension 3.2
War Disablement Pension
100 per cent, disablement
Attendance Allowance:
Higher rate 3.3
Lower rate 3.4
Invalid Care Allowance: Non-contributory invalidity pension:
Single person 3.5
Married couple 3.3
Mobility Allowance* 10.1
Supplementary Allowance†: Ordinary rate:
Single person 5.5
Married couple 5.4
Long term rate:
Single person 4.9
Married couple 5.8
Housing needs allowance

Notes:

* Mobility Allowance was uprated in July 1978.

† The increases for supplementary allowance are based on movement in RPI less housing.

‡ The basis for determining the housing needs allowance changed and the amounts for November 1978 are not comparable with those for November 1983.