§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what has been the cost of statutory redundancy payments in each year since 1987–88; and how many workers have received payments by region;
(2) what has been the cost of statutory redundancy payments in each year since 1987–88; and how many workers have received payments.
§ Miss WiddecombePrimary responsibility for the payment of statutory redundancy payments lies with employers. Information is not available on the number or cost of payments made by employers.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State may make payment from the national insurance fund to employees whose employer becomes insolvent or is otherwise unable to pay. The number and cost of such payments for each available year is as follows:
Number (thousands) Expenditure (£ million) 1987–88 30 34.9 1988–89 25 32.4 1989–90 20 25.7 1990–91 42 67.6 1991–92 96 131.8 Information is not available by region.