§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if it is in accordance with his policy that the invalidity benefit of the son or daughter of a householder should be taken into consideration when the entitlement to rate or rent rebate is being assessed; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what proportion of the income of a son or daughter in receipt of an average industrial wage is set against the income of a householder submitting an application for (a) rent rebate and (b) rate refund; and what proportion of the income of a son or daughter in receipt of an invalidity allowance would be set against a householder making application for a rent rebate or rate refund.
§ Mr. FreesonThe only income taken into account in calculating a rate or rent rebate is that of the householder and spouse. However, a deduction from the rebate is made in respect of other adults in the household to take account of their contributions. The deductions, which take no account of invalidity benefit and are not directly related to income, are made on a scale set out in the Rate Rebate (Amendment) Regulations 1976, SI 1458, and the Rent Rebate and Rent Allowance Schemes (England and Wales) Regulations 1976, SI 1470. Local authorities have discretion to reduce the amounts specified in suitable circumstances. I consider these arrangements to be preferable to a means-test of each resident in the household.