§ Lord Diamondasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the cost of unemployment (a) borne by the public sector and (b) in estimated loss of production, for 1979 and each subsequent year, in both cash and real terms.
§ The Secretary of State for Employment (Lord Young of Graffham)Estimates of total benefits paid to the unemployed in 1979–80 and in each subsequent year are given below, both in cash and in real terms. The estimates include housing benefit, a benefit which can continue to be paid if the recipient finds employment. It is not possible to estimate either the revenue foregone or loss of production.
Total benefits paid to the unemployed (£ million) Current prices 1985-86 prices 1979–80 1,470 2,380 1980–81 2,530 3,450 1981–82 4,020 4,990 1982–83 5,010 5,800 1983–84 5,720 6,340 1984–85 6,330 6,720 1985–86 6,960 6,960 1986–87(est.) 7,420 7,200