§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average cost of an unemployed person in lost tax receipts and benefit payments; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinFor Great Britain in 1992–93, total unemployment-related benefits cost £9.3 billion spread across 2.74 million unemployed people—an average cost of an unemployed person of just under £3,400 per person per year. We do not consider that calculation of lost tax receipts is appropriate.