HC Deb 27 January 1999 vol 324 c289W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion and what amount of the total welfare benefit bill for the past five years has been paid as(a) contributory and (b) non-contributory benefit. [67732]

Angela Eagle

The information is in the tables.

Social Security benefits expenditure
£ billion
Year Contributory benefits Non-contributory benefits Total benefits expenditure
1993–94 39.5 42.9 82.4
1994–95 39.8 45.0 84.8
1995–96 40.7 48.1 88.8
1996–97 42.2 50.1 92.3
1997–98 43.2 50.5 93.7
Contributory and non-contributory benefits as a percentage of Social Security
Percentage
Year Contributory benefits Non contributory
1993–94 48.0 52.0
1994–95 46.9 53.1
1995–96 45.9 54.1
1996–97 45.7 54.3
1997–98 46.1 53.9

Notes:

1. The figures for 1997–98 are consistent with those published in the Pre-Budget Report of November 1998. Figures for the earlier years are derived from the Departmental Report 1998 (Cm 3913).

2. Social Security Benefits expenditure includes additional local authority expenditure on Housing, Community Charge and Council Tax Benefits.