-34Year 91. Total of CSSA recipients New arrival CSSA recipients 98/99 382,454 45,945 (12%) Mar 2000 370,231 45,477 (12.3%) Mar 2001 367,470 50,146 (13.6%) Mar 2002 410,998 60,982 (14.8%) Dec 2002 466,868 69,345 (14.9%) As we have seen, the December 1998 Report of the Inter- Departmental Steering Group addressed the problem of rapidly increasing costs without anywhere suggesting that CSSA claims by new arrivals caused any particular problem or required any measures to be taken. The overall increase in spending may obviously be due to a whole range of factors. Thus, the 11.1% across-the-board reduction of standard rates implemented in 2003 and 2004 was a response to an unacceptable increase in expenditure attributable to upward adjustments subsequently thought to have been excessive. 92. Nor is it helpful for the Government simply to point to the increase in CSSA expenditure in relation to all new arrivals. Without evidence as to the savings which the seven-year restriction has achieved by excluding the segment of new arrivals actually affected, it is very difficult to evaluate its rational connection (if any) with the avowed objective of ensuring sustainability of the social security system. 93. As emphasised above, 90 the precise terms of the seven-year residence requirement must be kept in mind. By implementing the new rule, no savings are achieved in relation to new arrivals under 18 years of age; new 90 In Section F of this judgment.