§ 24. Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of GDP has been spent on pensioners' benefits on average since 1997. [3599]
§ Mr. McCartneyOver the period there has been sustained economic growth and our spending on pensioners, now some 5.5 per cent. of GDP, has ensured that all pensioners have shared fully in the rising wealth of the nation.
The proportions for each year since 1996–97 are provided in the table:
Percentage 1996–97 5.3 1997–98 5.2 1998–99 5.1 1999–2000 5.2 2000–01 5.3 2001–02 5.5 Notes:
1. The information in the table compares social security expenditure in Great Britain with the most recent estimate of Gross Domestic Product issued by National Statistics (24 September 2001).
2. Benefits included are: Retirement Pension (Basic and Additional), Income Support/Minimum Income Guarantee, Winter Fuel Payment, Concessionary TV licence, Non-contributory Retirement Pension, Christmas Bonus, and Housing/Council Tax Benefit and Social Fund paid to people aged 60 or over.