HC Deb 25 January 1973 vol 849 cc210-1W
Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council and private tenants, respectively, in England and Wales are expected to gain from the increase in the needs allowance under the phase 2 proposals; what will be the estimated average increase in rent rebates and rent allowances, respectively; what will be the total annual cost to the Exchequer; and to what estimated percentage take-up of rebates and allowances these figures relate.

Mr. Channon

All those tenants eligible for a rent rebate or allowance at present will be entitled to an increase rebate or allowance of between 60p and 88p if there is no change in their rent or circumstances. A substantial number of tenants will also become eligible for a rebate or allowance for the first time, but I cannot estimate how many. The total cost of the increased needs allowances to the Exchequer in 1973–74 is estimated at between £25 and £30 millions.

Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council and private tenants, respectively, he estimates will be in receipt of rent rebates and rent allowances under the Housing Finance Act within one year of its coming into operation; how many of these are estimated to be supplementary benefit recipients; how much he estimates will be spent by that time on their rebates and allowances; and to what proportion of those tenants eligible these estimates relate.

Mr. Channon

About 2 million council tenants are likely to be eligible for a rent rebate and about 750,000 private tenants for a rent allowance. Of these, rather over 1 million council tenants and 250,000 private tenants will be receiving supplementary benefit. I cannot estimate how many will be in receipt of a rebate or allowance in August. The cost to the Exchequer of the rebates and allowances in 1973–74 is estimated at £150 million to £200 million.

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