§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the cost of all benefits paid to the unemployed in the United Kingdom in the years 1974–75 to 1983–84 (i) excluding men over 60 years not required to sign on and (ii) including such men.
§ Mr. WhitneyEstimates of the cost of benefits paid to the unemployed (unemployment benefit, supplementary benefit and housing benefit) in the United Kingdom are shown in the table. These figures include estimated amounts for rent and rate rebates paid under the scheme operating prior to the introduction of housing benefit 1983.
£ million Cost of benefits to the unemployed not required to sing on Year Excluding men over 60 Including men over 60 1974–75 470 1975–76 910 1976–77 1,230 1977–78 1,470 1978–79 1,450 1979–80 1,540 1980–81 2,640 1981–82 4,210 4,260 1982–83 5,270 5,380 1983–84 5,950 6,290