HC Deb 17 February 1998 vol 306 cc618-9W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if she will list the growth rate in expenditure by her Department in real terms and the underlying growth rate for each year since 1979; [30157]

(2) if she will list the total expenditure by her Department on (a) benefits and (b) administration as a proportion of general government expenditure and as a proportion of gross domestic product for each year since 1979. [30156]

Mr. Field

The information is set out in the table.

Year Grand Total Expenditure Annual Real Growth % Benefit Expenditure as % of GDP Benefit Expenditure as % of GGE(X) Admin Expenditure as % of GDP Admin Expenditure as % of GGE(X)
1994–95 1.2 12.5 29.4 0.5 1.2
1995–96 1.6 12.4 29.6 0.5 1.2
1996–97 1.9 12.3 30.1 0.5 1.3

Notes:

1. Average real growth pa (growth rate) 3.6%.

2. The "Grand Total Expenditure" expenditure figure includes additional local authority expenditure on Housing and Council Tax Benefits.

3. The figures for GDP are consistent with those published in Pre Budget Report. They include adjustments to remove distortion caused by the abolition of domestic rates.

4. The figures for GGE(X) are consistent with those published July 1997 FSBR and earlier equivalents. They exclude privatisation proceeds, expenditure out of the proceeds of the National Lottery, and receipts of interests and dividends from public corporations and the private sector are netted off.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimates her Department has made of(a) future social security expenditure and (b) future underlying rates of growth; [30052]

(2) what estimates her Department has made of future social security expenditure on benefit payments to the (a) elderly, (b) sick and disabled, (c) family, (d) lone parents, (e) unemployed, and (f) widows and others. [30053]

Mr. Field

The information is set out in the table.

£ million
1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000
Elderly 42,426 44,152 45.792
Sick and Disabled 25,156 26,621 28,179
Family 18,740 19,302 19,929
Unemployed 7,160 6,832 6,713
Widows and Others 2,244 2,282 2,318
Total Benefit Expenditure 95,727 99,189 102,932
Grand Total DSS Spending 99,314 102,727 106,492
Annual real growth — 0.6% 1.0%

Source:

The figures are taken from the March 1997 Social Security Departmental Report.