§ 13. Mr. KnoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by what percentage total expenditure on social security has increased since 1979 in real terms.
§ Mr. LilleyExpenditure on social security increased in real terms by almost 60 per cent. between 1978–79 and now. Included within this total is a 33 per cent. real increase in expenditure on benefits for the elderly and additional spending on the long term sick and disabled which is one and a half times as great as in 1979. In addition—help for low income families has more than doubled-five times as many families now receive family credit as received family income supplement in 1979.