HC Deb 24 March 1999 vol 328 cc276-7W
Mrs. Laing

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the cost of(a) all means-tested benefits in Scotland, (b) means-tested benefits for people aged 15 to 25 years in Scotland, (c) means-tested benefits for people aged 26 to 40 years in Scotland and (d) means-tested benefit for people aged 41 to 65 years in Scotland in each year since 1992 in (i) cash terms and (ii) 1998–99 prices. [77770]

Angela Eagle

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.

Income related benefits expenditure (real terms 1998–99 prices)
£million
Scotland—by age group 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98
Income-related benefits (26 to 40) 780 820 880 910 940 940
Income-related benefits (41 to 65) 640 690 730 760 790 830

Notes:

1. Figures may not sum due to rounding.

2. Figures have been rounded to nearest £10 million.

3. Figures include expenditure on Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based), Income Support, Family Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Disabled Working Allowance.

4. They do not include smaller benefits such as Grants to Independent Living Fund, Grants to Motability and British Limbless Ex-Serviceman's Association, Earning Top Up and Social Fund Payments.

5. These benefits make up about 1.5 per cent. of all income related benefits expenditure.

Total social fund spending in Scotland
£million
1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98
Cash Terms 42 44 47 46 47 64
Real Terms1 49 50 52 50 49 65
11998–99 prices

Notes:

1. Figures do not include Cold Weather Payments.

2. Social Fund Spending in Scotland broken down by age is not available.

3. Figures rounded to the nearest million.