Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Social Security Expenditure – 17 November 1986

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Social Security Expenditure on 17th November 1986.

Mr. Meacher Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give a table setting out social security expenditure (a) in cash terms, (b) as a percentage of total public expenditure, (c) as a percentage of gross domestic product, (d) showing the real-terms percentage increase on the previous year and (e) the percentage of the real-terms increase spent on (i) increased numbers of claimants, (ii) real-terms increase in benefit levels and (iii) new benefits or extension of eligibility for each year from 1979-80 to 1986-87, including the autumn statement projections.

Mr. Major I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.