HC Deb 05 February 1990 vol 166 cc527-8W
71 Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest estimate of total expenditure by his Department for 1989–90.

Estimated numbers receiving social security benefits at any one time 1978–79 to 1988–891 2
thousands
1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90
Retirement pension 8,530 8,680 8,880 9,015 9,115 9,210 9,350 9,400 9,575 9,685 9,710 9,825
Widows' benefits 495 490 475 460 445 440 425 410 400 385 370 370
Unemployment benefit 570 550 960 1,120 1,090 1,020 1,020 955 1,005 815 600 415
Sickness benefit 560 490 435 445 395 170 180 160 100 105 105 105
Invalidity benefit 600 620 620 660 700 760 825 865 935 1,010 1,100 1,185
Industrial disability benefit 200 200 195 195 190 185 260 265 285 300 325 340

Mr. Scott

As announced in the Autumn Statement, total DSS expenditure in 1989–90 is estimated to be £52.6 billion. Further details are given in chapter 14 of the public expenditure White Paper (Cm. 1014) published on 30 January 1990.