Expenditure and Caseloads

HC Deb 01 May 2001 vol 367 c594W

Mr. Goggins

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library information on social security expenditure and caseloads on a benefit by benefit basis. [160154]

Mr. Rooker

I have placed in the Library seven statistical tables showing breakdowns of historical and forecast benefit expenditure and caseloads for Great Britain. This information will be made available on the Department's internet site shortly.

The tables show that social security spending is now firmly under control; the total cost of benefits and tax credits together is growing at under 2 per cent. this Parliament compared to 4 per cent. in the last Parliament—the lowest rate of growth for any Parliament since the Second World War.