HC Deb 22 May 1989 vol 153 c431W
27. Mr. Knapman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how much he estimates expenditure on the family has increased under this Government.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Excluding the extra help needed because unemployment was rising, support for families fell between 1974–75 and 1978–79 by 7 per cent. in real terms —or £500 million in 1988–89 values. Under this Government, the real increase up to 1988–89 was £1.8 billion (£1,840 million)—a rise of 27.3 per cent.