§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the light of the evidence already supplied by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Wavertree, whereby a constituent experienced 11 changes in his rent and rebate payments within 20 months, he will examine ways of simplifying the criteria by which rent rebate is calculated; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreesonThe hon. Member's constituent has had an unusually large number of rent rebate changes in a relatively
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§ Mr. CarmichaelThe regional figures are as follow:
short time, though most of the changes resulted in a higher rebate. The rent rebate and rent allowance schemes enable needy tenants to receive adequate help towards their rents. Changes in rebates or allowances occur because of changes in a tenant's income, rent, or in the cost of living. There is a need for simplification if possible, and this will be considered as part of the Government's review of housing finance.