§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost of benefits paid in each year since 1990–91 to the unemployed in(a) all benefits, (b) unemployment benefit (c) income support, (d) housing benefit and (e) council tax and other benefits; what are 605W the average costs of benefits for persons unemployed; and what is the corresponding information for people unemployed for more than (i) one year and (ii) two years.
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe available information is set out in the tables.
Expenditure on the unemployed 1990–1994 Years beginning April Benefit 1990–1991 £millions 1991–1992 £millions 1992–1993 £millions 1993–1994 £millions All benefits 5,300 7,560 8,970 9,720 Unemployment benefit 870 1,600 1,760 1,740 Income support 2,950 4,230 5,380 5,720 Housing benefit 1,120 1,340 1,420 1,910 Community charge benefit 330 350 380 310 Social fund 20 30 30 30 Notes:
1 The figures are rounded to the nearest £10 million
2 Totals may not sum due to rounding
Sources: The 1994 departmental annual report
Average weekly payments (£) of benefits for the unemployed 1990–94 Years1 1990–91 1997–92 1992–93 1993–94 Unemployment benefit—All 40.20 44.64 46.19 47.38 Income support—All 44.69 49.69 53.20 55.01 Income support—1–2 years 48.36 53.36 58.24 59.59 Income support—2 years or over 49.31 53.62 55.89 59.51 Housing benefit—All 26.39 30.42 35.94 39.74 Community charge benefit—All 6.76 3.85 4.70 — Council tax benefit—All — — — 7.33 1 The figures are as at May each year.2 The figures for 1993–94 are estimated outturns. 3 Amounts are rounded to the nearest penny. Sources:
4 Unemployment benefit: the half-yearly analysis of unemployed claimants (5 per cent. sample). Income Support: the income support annual statistical enquiry (1 per cent. sample).