asked the Minister for Social Welfare the cost to the Exchequer of (a) the 20 per cent increase in short-term social welfare benefits and (b) the 25 per cent increase in long-term social welfare benefits.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
200.
The estimated cost to the Exchequer in a full year of (a) the 20 per cent increase in short-term social welfare benefits is £17.5 million, and (b) the 25 per cent increase in long-term social welfare benefits is £47.4 million. These figures do not include the cost of the increases in children's allowances. Neither do they include the cost to the Exchequer of continuing the temporary increases grants under the national understanding from October 1979.