Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Benefits – 23 July 1986

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Benefits on 23rd July 1986.

Mr. Austin Mitchell Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the cost of paying unemployment benefit to persons between the ages of 60 and 65 years whose benefit is exhausted or who are currently disqualified because their contribution record is inadequate, but excluding females who are entitled to a state pension, and the saving in other benefits and additional yield of tax; and what adjustment should be made to these figures if those with an occupational pension but no state pension were to be excluded from drawing unemployment benefit.

Mr. Major I regret that the information requested is not available. No records are kept of the number of unemployed persons over 60 years who are not receiving benefits and who are not required to sign at the unemployment benefit office for credits.