§ Mr. Ralph HowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total amount spent on social security in the United Kingdom, in actual and at 1990 prices, for each year since 1978–79; and what was the percentage increase or decrease for each year.
§ Miss WiddecombeDetails of social security spending in Great Britain are given in the table. Information about social security spending in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Grand total social security spending £ million Year (outturn) Cash At 1990–91 prices Real terms percentage increase over preceding year 1978–79 16,602 41,953 — 1979–80 19,616 42,483 1.3 1980–81 23,751 43,469 2.3 1981–82 28,963 48,341 11.2 1982–83 33,000 51,426 6.4 1983–84 36,881 54,933 6.8 1984–85 39,949 56,627 3.1 1985–86 43,488 58,460 3.2 1986–87 46,841 60,886 4.2 1987–88 48,939 60,327 −0.9 1988–89 49,721 57,121 −5.3 1989–90 52,661 56,874 −0.4 1990–91 (estimated) 59,001 59,001 3.7 1991–92 (plans) 66,167 62,422 5.8 Note: Reduction in real terms expenditure for the years 1987–88 and 1989–90 was due to the effect of reduced levels of unemployment.