Written question asked by Baroness Corston (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Bassam of Brighton (Labour) on Thursday, 26 July 2007.

Children

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the United Kingdom total government expenditure, as a percentage of gross domestic product, in 1997, 2001 and 2006, or the latest year for which there is information available on (a) child benefit; (b) children (estimated) within child tax credit and/or working families tax credit and/or family credit; (c) children (estimated) within income support expenditure for households; (d) children (estimated) within disability tax credit; and (e) other social security benefits specifically for children; and what is the total of (a) to (e) for the same years; and

Answer: The UK child benefit expenditure, as a percentage of gross domestic product, for 1997-98, 2001-02 and 2006-07 was just under 1 per cent in each year. Information on Child Tax Credit expenditure in 2006-07 is published in the HMRC departmental annual accounts 2006-07, which is available on the HMRC website at:.www.hmrc.qov.uk/about/hmrc-accounts2007.htm This will also include expenditure on the disabled child element, which is not available separately. Information on expenditure on children within working families tax credit and family credit is not available. Information on expenditure on children within income support is not available. Income support is the only DWP-administered benefit specifically for children.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 5075; 694 c109WA
Session: 2006-07
Subjects: Disability Children Child tax credit Child benefit Income support Expenditure Family credit Social security benefits Working families tax credit
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk