HC Deb 28 January 1986 vol 90 cc782-3
5. Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the operation of the new rules on supplementary benefit for persons living in bed and breakfast accommodation.

The Minister for Social Security (Mr. Tony Newton)

We are reviewing supplementary benefit limits for all types of board and lodging allowances in the light of the Department's general monitoring of the arrangements since April 1985, information from local offices and representations from individuals and organisations affected. We shall also take account of the results of the management consultant's study that we have Commissioned on residential care and nursing homes when they are available. Our aim will be to reach conclusions in time for any changes that are shown to be needed to be made at the time of the general uprating in July.

Mr. Taylor

As bed and breakfast accommodation in Southend is about £7 a week above the amount allowed in the regulations, the result is a great deal of hardship. WiL my hon. Friend act on the representations made by Southend tenants and landlords, observing that it is quite ridiculous that Southend, a seaside town, should charge a rate £5 below that allowed in Peterborough?

Mr. Newton

We shall consider the representations that my hon. Friend made in correspondence with the Department with other representations in the context of the review.

Mr. Dubs

Is the Minister aware of the difficulties experienced by refugees and others seeking asylum in Britain? Will he take their needs and circumstances into account in the review?

Mr. Newton

We have had correspondence with the British Refugee Council. I assure the hon. Gentleman that during the review we shall take account of any problems that we are convinced must be tackled further.

Mr. Dickens

During the review, will my hon. Friend bear in mind that although many people would welcome some form of adjustment, they do want him to lose sight of the fact that thousands of people are ripping off the taxpayer, and that that must be the central fact to be borne in mind?

Mr. Newton

We have been anxious throughout to strike a sensible balance between meeting real needs and preventing exploitation. That will remain our aim.

Mrs. Beckett

Does the Minister recognise that his hon. Friend the Member for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor) has admirably highlighted the fact that the limits are inadequate for those in bed and breakfast accommodation, just as they are inadequate for the elderly in residential and nursing homes, and especially for the physically and mentally handicapped? Does he also recognise that in saying that the limits will be reviewed in time for the July uprating he is saying that the review will take place after the date of the year's grace given to the physically and mentally handicapped, when their benefit can no longer remain at its original level? That is the time when people may have to move out of their homes. For the Minister to say that the uprating will be considered in July, when those people face the need for removal in April, cannot be right. Will he reconsider the timetable for the review?

Mr. Newton

The hon. Lady will recall that my hon. Friend the Member for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor) referred to the existence, under the new regulations that came into effect in November, of the capacity to deal with individual cases of hardship. Against the background of the July uprating, it is obviously sensible that we should seek to consider all the issues, together with general benefit levels, that will have to be set for that time.

Mr. Kirkwood

Will the Minister tell the House what guidance he has given to officials on the interpretation of the exceptional hardship exemption; and will he place a copy of that guidance document in the Library?

Mr. Newton

I shall consider the hon. Gentleman's request.