§ 14. Mr. RowlandsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his Department's latest estimate is of the amount of council house rent arrears since April; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GristThe only figures held centrally on local authority rent arrears refer to the end of the financial year. Local authorities' projections for the end of 1988–89 are incomplete but currently stand at £5.3 million.
§ Mr. RowlandsIs the Minister aware that there has been a dramatic increase in arrears since April—50 per cent. in some of the communities that I represent—mainly as a result of cuts in housing benefit? Does he agree that those cuts in benefit are hitting some of the poorer tenants? What additional new action do the Government propose to alleviate the disadvantages of those people and the growing arrears of local authorities?
§ Mr. GristThe hon. Gentleman might be interested to know that the estimated figures show a 2.1 per cent. shortfall of arrears compared with the total rent bill. It was 1.9 per cent. in the last financial year, 1987–88, 2 per cent. in 1986–87 and 2.6 per cent. in 1985–86. It is currently 2.1 per cent. There has been little, if any, change in arrears as a percentage of the total rent bill.