HC Deb 22 May 1996 vol 278 cc278-9W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will exempt persons who successfully claim compensation as a result of disability arising from asbestosis and other similar conditions from the compensation recovery scheme; [30388]

(2) if he will raise the small payments limit for the compensation recovery scheme; and if he will make a statement; [30389]

(3) if he will ensure that the costs of any community care or aids and adaptations required, arising out of an injury or illness, where such medical conditions result in successful claims for compensation, are taken into account in any compensation recovery undertaken by the compensation recovery unit; and if he will make a statement. [30255]

£ million
1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84
Social Security benefit expenditure (a) 15,873 18,777 22,658 27,698 31,628 35,332
Means-tested benefits (b) 2,692 2,940 3.830 5,587 7,917 9,449
(b) Expressed as a percentage of (a) 17.0 per cent. 15.7 per cent. 16.9 per cent. 21.1 per cent. 25.0 per cent. 26.7 per cent.
£ million
Year 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92
Social Security benefit expenditure (a) 38,225 41,699 44,913 46,697 47,333 50,174 56,509 66,382
Means-tested benefits (b) 10,755 12,163 13,171 13,398 13,265 14,050 16,804 20,328
(b) Expressed as a percentage of (a) 28.1 per cent. 29.2 per cent 29.3 per cent. 28.7 per cent. 28.0 per cent 28.0 per cent. 29.7 per cent. 30.6 per cent.