HC Deb 27 November 1992 vol 214 cc872-4W
Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of social security expenditure was met by national insurance contributions for each year since 1979; what are the planned figures for 1992–93 and 1993–94; and if he will make a statement about future trends.

Miss Widdecombe

The available information is in the table.

Year Per cent.
1978–79 67.5
1979–80 65.7
1980–81 66.2
1981–82 63.0
1982–83 59.8
1983–84 58.6
1984–85 54.6
1985–86 53.9
1986–87 53.6
1987–88 53.2
1988–89 53.9
1989–90 54.4
1990–91 55.0
1991–92 54.5
1992–93 52.9
1993–94 52.3
1994–95 51.7

Notes:

1. The percentages refer to expenditure met from the National Insurance Fund.

2. Figures for 1978–79 to 1990–91 are outturn; 1991–92 is estimated; 1992–93 onwards are plans contained in the Departmental Report 1992 (Cm 1914).

3. Income to the National Insurance Fund comes from several sources, predominantly employers' and employees' National Insurance Contributions, investment income and in certain years a Treasury Supplement.

Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the surplus or deficit in the national insurance fund for each financial year since 1979; and what is his estimate for the current year and for 1993–94.

Miss Widdecombe

The information requested is given in the table.

Year Surplus £'000 Deficit £'000
1979–80 535,302
1980–81 411,698
1981–82 991,008
1982–83 23,004
1983–84 580,379
1984–85 373,674
1985–86 315,514
1986–87 413,942
1987–88 1,580,654
1988–89 3,081,188
1989–90 61,669
1990–91 1,484,717
1991–92 3,455,556
1992–93 4,659,000
1993–94 4,827,000

Notes:

1. All figures represent the difference between income and outgo within the year.

2. Figures for 1992–93 and 1993–94 are estimated.

Source: Government Actuary's Department.

1. Year 2. Industrial injuries benefits 3. Percentage of the national insurance fund 4. Statutory sick pay and statutory maternity pay 5. Percentage of the national insurance fund
1990–91 584,622 1.70 1,268,000 3.68
1991–92 675,300 1.95 1,055,000 3.04
1992–93 677,000 2 1,071,000 3
1993–94 700,000 2 1,093,000 3

Notes:

1. The figures in columns (2) and (4) are expressed as percentages of total receipts to the National Insurance Fund.

2. Figures for 1992–93 and 1993–94 are estimated.

Sources: Government Actuary's Report on the Social Security Bill 1992 (Cm 2097) and the Government's Expenditure Plans 1992–93–1993–94 (Cm 1914).

3. The figures shown in column (5) in respect of Statutory Sick pay and Statutory Maternity Pay are equivalent to the amounts of reimbursement from the Consolidated Fund to the National Insurance Fund.

Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what sums have ben paid for each of the years since 1979 from general taxation into the national insurance fund, expressed in cash terms and as a percentage of the national insurance fund, and for what reasons in each case.

Miss Widdecombe

The information is in the table.

Year Sum paid into NI fund in £000 As a percentage of the NI fund Reason
1979–80 2,343,000 17.62 1
1980–81 2,848,000 17.79 1
1981–82 2,433,000 14.27 1
1982–83 2,591,000 13.36 1
1983–84 2,807,000 13.31 1
1984–85 2,597,000 11.74 1
1985–86 2,163,000 9.21 1
1986–87 2,412,000 9.52 1
1987–88 2,135,000 7.81 1
1988–89 1,653,000 5.54 1
1989–90
1990–91 1,268,000 3.68 2
1991–92 1,055,000 3.04 2
1992–93 1,071,000 3.00 2
1993–94 1,093,000 3.00 2
1 Treasury Supplement.
2 Reimbursement of the costs of Statutory Sick Pay and Statutory Maternity Pay.

Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which benefits have been transferred since 1979 to the consolidated fund from the national insurance fund.

Miss Widdecombe

Expenditure on industrial injuries benefits was transferred to the consolidated fund from 1 April 1990. Additionally, from that date new arrangements were introduced whereby the costs of statutory sick pay and statutory maternity pay were reimbursed to the national insurance fund from the consolidated fund.

Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what saving for the national insurance fund has been achieved by transferring out expenditure on each benefit transferred to the consolidated fund, in each year since 1979 in cash terms and as a percentage of the national insurance fund; and what are the corresponding estimates for 1992–93 and 1993–94.

Miss Widdecombe

The information is in the table:

Note: The figures for years 1992–93 and 1993–94 are based on estimates.

Source: GAD.