§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
What has been the growth since 1979, in real terms, of social security spending; average earnings; and average adult male full-time earnings.
§ Lord HenleyThe information is in the table.
Total social security spending in 1978–79, expressed at '92–93 prices, was £44.3 million. The equivalent figure for 1992–93, based on estimated outturn, was £74.1 million. This represents a real terms increase over the period of 67 per cent.
Average gross weekly earnings of full time employees—pay unaffected hr absence April 1979 (£) April 1992 (£) Percentage increase (£) Adults 229.0 304.6 33 Men 259.2 340.1 31 Notes:
1. The figures are derived from the New Earnings Survey (NES). The NES is carried out in April of each year, based on a I per cent. sample of all employees who are members of pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) schemes in Great Britain.
2. The figures shown in 1979 are for men aged 21 and over and women aged 18 and over; in 1992, they are for employees on adult rates of Pay.
3. Earnings figures are rounded to the nearest 10 pence. Figures for April 1979 are at April 1992 prices.