asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total amount of money spent on social welfare in the years 1980, to 1986 inclusive and the amount provided for 1987 following this year's budget; and the rate of inflation for each of the same years.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Expenditure.
61.
The information sought by the Deputy is as follows:—
|
Year |
Total Social Welfare Expenditure |
Annual percentage increase in Consumer Price Index |
|
£ million |
||
|
1980 |
899 |
18.2% |
|
1981 |
1,192 |
20.4% |
|
1982 |
1,627 |
17.1% |
|
1983 |
1,897 |
10.4% |
|
1984 |
2,088 |
8.6% |
|
1985 |
2,291 |
5.4% |
|
1986 |
2,489 (provisional) |
3.9% |
The post-budget estimate of total social welfare expenditure for 1987 is £2,596 million. The percentage increase in the consumer price index for the year to mid-February 1987 was 3.4 per cent. It is expected that the average rate of inflation over the year as a whole will be lower.