§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 7 November, what factors underlay the scale of increases in the total sums spent on benefit for single parents. [4761]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellExpenditure on lone parent benefits rose from £1.8 billion in 1978–79 to £9.5 billion in 1995–96—1995–96 prices. The most significant factor underlying the scale of this increase is the growth of lone parenthood in the general population, and in particular the growth of single, never married lone parents, who are less likely to be in work or receiving maintenance, and therefore more likely to be dependent on income support.