§ Mr. LilleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the cost to public funds over the next four years of reforms to social security provision announced since 1 May 1997. [32070]
§ Mr. FieldThe Government are committed to working within the Control Totals announced by the previous Government for 1997–98 and 1998–99. Detailed spending plans for 1998–99 will be published in the Departmental Report and will take account of policy changes announced since 1 May 1997. The report will show that these changes will be achieved without any net increase in overall planned public expenditure. Expenditure on the New Deal will be met from the Windfall Tax.
Detailed expenditure plans for future years will be set after the completion of the Comprehensive Spending Reviews.