HC Deb 01 February 1996 vol 270 c861W
Ms Corston

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the costs to the Exchequer of unemployment in(a) 1979 and (b) the last year for which figures are available. [12688]

Mr. Waldegrave

Gross benefit payments to the unemployed in 1979–80 and 1994–95, at 1994–95 prices, are estimated to have been £3.4 billion and £9.1 billion respectively.