Administration Costs

HC Deb 23 January 1998 vol 304 cc729-30W

Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost, as a percentage of the money disbursed, in administering(a) income support, (b) incapacity benefit, (c) disability living allowance, (d) attendance allowances, (e) social fund loans, (f) Social Fund grants, (g) child benefit, (h) state retirement pension, (i) SERPS and (j) maternity benefit. [22997]

Mr. Denham

Administration costs of the main benefits expressed as a percentage of benefit expenditure are shown in the Social Security Departmental Report. The 1997 Report is available in the Library of the House and shows the following figures for financial year 1995–96:

	Per cent.
Income Support	9
Incapacity Benefit	5.1
Disability Living Allowance	4
Attendance Allowance	4.4
Social Fund1	36.7

	Per cent.
Child Benefit	2.2
Retirement Pension2	1.1
Maternity Allowance	15.1
1The Social Fund figure covers both loans and grants.
2SERFS is covered by Retirement Pension.

Figures for financial year 1996–97 are being finalised and will be included in the 1998 Departmental Report scheduled for publication following the Spring Budget Statement.