§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total spending of his Department on benefits and services for the chronically sick and disabled in each of the years 1970–71 to 1984–85; and if he will give the change year in by year percentage as well as money terms.
§ Mr. NewtonThe spending on benefits and on services provided direct by the Department for long-term sick and disabled people in the years 1970–71 to 1984–85 is given588W in the table. Information on the provision of services by health authorities and by local authorities specifically to this group is not available.
Year Expenditure in cash terms Expenditure at 1984–85 prices Real annual percentage increase £ million £ million 1970–71 * — — — 1971–72 †360 1,570 — 1972–73 510 2,080 32 1973–74 590 2,180 5 1974–75 770 2,410 11 1975–76 1,040 2,620 9 1976–77 1,240 2,710 3 1977–78 1,520 2,910 7 1978–79 1,830 3,240 11 1979–80 2,160 3,300 2 1980–81 2,560 3,360 2 1981–82 3,030 3,570 6 1982–83 3,560 3,910 10 1983–84 4,150 4,360 12 1984–85 4,590 4,590 5 * Comparable figures are not available as there were no benefits specifically for the long-term sick and disabled people. † Not fully comparable with later years as invalidity benefit was introduced part way through the year.