HC Deb 26 January 1987 vol 109 cc87-8W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the total cost of heating additions in 1978–79 and in the latest year for which figures are available in actual and real terms, together with the numbers of persons who received such additions in each year.

Mr. Major

Information about expenditure on supplementary benefit heating additions is as follows:

Year Numbers qualifying (000s) Expenditure £ (millions)
1978–79 1,546 90
1984–85 2,829 1 400
1 Estimated.
Source: Annual statistical inquiry for 1978–79 and 1984–85.

It is estimated that expenditure in 1984–85—the latest year for which information is available— is approximately £140 million more in real terms than in 1978–79.