HC Deb 15 November 1988 vol 140 cc629-30W
Ms. Harriet Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what(a) amount and (b) proportion of total public spending on personal social services is accounted for by local authorities for each year since 1967–68 projected to 1990–91 in 1987–88 prices.

Benefit Year of uprating Amount by which uprating exceeded inflation Effect on expenditure1
Supplementary benefit child scale rates 1980 £2.25/£3.55 £48 million
Mobility allowance 1981 £0.70 £28 million
One parent benefit 1983 £0.25 £11 million
1 Effect on expenditure in 1988–89.

Increases in social security spending are attributable to a range of factors in addition to upratings, for example,

Mr. Peter Lloyd

This is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health.