§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the outturn expenditure by his Department in the current financial year; how much of this represents(a) payments to beneficiaries and (b) administrative costs; what estimate he has made of the amount in each of those categories incurred in Wales; and how many staff his Department employs in (i) Wales, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Northern Ireland and (iv) England. [20746]
§ Mr. BurtThe total estimated outturn for Department of Social Security expenditure in 1996–97 is £90,834 million. The estimated 1996–97 outturn for administrative costs, inclusive of all grants and subsidies, is £3,535 million. The estimated 1996–97 expenditure on payments to beneficiaries, including housing benefit and council tax benefit is £87,299 million. Figures for individual benefits are in the table.
The Department does not routinely collect information by country. However, it is estimated that about 6 per cent. of all social security expenditure is in respect of Wales. The numbers of staff employed by the Department in the constituent parts of the UK on 1 January 1997 are as follows:-
- England: 80,6581
- Scotland: 9,4831
- Wales:4,3801
- Northern Ireland 1312
- Total: 94,514.
Notes:
1Figures expressed on a whole time equivalent basis.2As well as 13 staff directly employed by the DSS, the Department repays Department of Health and Social Services for the operational services it provides.3 The expenditure figures provided are for the direct administrative costs of the Department and direct payments to beneficiaries. They therefore exclude the cost associated with Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.1020W
Social security expenditure and estimated outturn 1996–97 Benefits Estimated outturn £ million Retirement pension 31,851 Xmas bonus 119 Widows benefit 1,052 Unemployment benefit/job seekers allowance (contribution based) 999 Statutory sick pay 26 Incapacity benefit 7,767 Maternity allowance 36 Statutory maternity pay 485 Guardian and child allowance 2 Non-contributory retirement pension 36 Non-contributory xmas bonus 17 War pensions 1,419 Attendance allowance 2,421 Invalid care allowance 768 Severe disablement allowance 893 Disability living allowance 4,361 Disability working allowance 25 Industrial injury benefit 716 Income support for the elderly, income support under 60 years of age, job seekers allowance (income based) 16,475 Earnings top up 11 Child benefit 6,724 One parent benefit 348 Family credit 2,047 Housing benefit and council tax benefit 8,329 Others (small benefits) 372 Total 87,299 Source:
1997 Departmental Report: Table 1.