HC Deb 30 April 1980 vol 983 cc545-6W
34. Mr. Alton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the current value of rent and rate rebates.

Mr. Stanley

The rent and rate rebate schemes offer substantial assistance to about 1 million council tenants. The needs allowance used in calculating the rebates is up-rated annually. Its value has been effectively restored to its 1972 level, from which it had fallen through inadequate uprating, by the £5 earnings disregard introduced last November. I announced on 18 March—[Vol. 981, c. 161]—that the maximum limits for rent rebates and rent allowances were to be increased to £25 in London and to £23 elsewhere and my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Environmental Services announced on 23 April—[Vol. 984, c. 185–6]—new maximum rate rebates of £6.75 and £4.80 respectively.