HC Deb 28 April 1998 vol 311 cc98-9W
Mr. Rendel

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the expenditure on benefits to lone parents for each year since 1979; and what is the forecast expenditure for each year up to 2000(a) in terms of annual real growth, (b) in cash terms and (c) as a proportion of social security expenditure. [38996]

Mr. Keith Bradley

[holding answer 20 April 1998]: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

Lone parents expenditure in cash and real terms (1997–98 prices) expressed as a percentage of grand total social security expenditure
Year Cash prices(£ million) Real terms(1997–98 prices)(£ million) Lone parents expenditure expressed as a percentage of grand total social security expenditure
1978–79 596 1,886 4
1979–80 730 1,979 4
1980–81 856 1,962 4
1981–82 1,079 2,254 4
1982–83 1,394 2,719 4
1983–84 1,806 3,366 5
1984–85 2,034 3,610 5
1985–86 2,362 3,974 5
1986–87 2,638 4,309 6
1987–88 2,977 4,617 6
1988–89 3,528 5,128 7
1989–90 3,903 5,303 7
1990–91 4,680 5,887 8
1991–92 5,758 6,808 8
1992–93 7,108 8,066 9
1993–94 8,126 8,962 9
1994–95 8,853 9,618 10
1995–96 9,579 10,126 10
1996–97 10,133 10,406 11
1997–98 10,298 10,298 11
1998–99 10,785 10,481 11

Note:

  1. 1. Detailed Government expenditure plans for future years (1999–2000 to 2000–01) will be published after the completion of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
  2. 2. Grand total social security expenditure includes the cost of administration as well as additional local authority expenditure on Housing, Community Charge and Council Tax Benefits.

Source:

1. The figures are taken from the March 1998 Social Security Departmental Report and earlier equivalents.