HC Deb 08 December 1982 vol 33 cc554-5W
50. Mr. Hill

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give discretion to local authorities in cases of hardship to raise the rateable value thresholds for repairs grants and improvement grants.

Mr. Stanley

The rateable value limits are kept under review. I shall keep my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

51. Mr. Michael Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he expects to make an announcement on the extension of the eligibility for repair grants in 1982.

Mr. Stanley

I cannot at present add to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) on 17 November.—[Vol. 31, c. 192]

52. Mr. Hicks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that all applicants who satisfy the criteria to qualify for a home improvement grant at the enhanced rate of 90 per cent. will receive a grant during the financial year 1983–84; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Stanley

Local authorities already have a statutory obligation to pay all intermediate and mandatory repairs grants at the 90 per cent. rate up to the end of the 1983–84 financial year. Authorities also have the discretion to pay other repairs grants at up to a 90 per cent rate until the end of 1983–84. In addition they may, without any time limit, pay grants at up to the 90 per cent. rate in the following categories of case:

  1. (a) the applicant is living in a housing action area and is in hardship
  2. (b) the applicant is living in an unfit house, a house lacking one or more standard amenity or one that is in need of substantial and structural repair and is in hardship
  3. (c) the applicant is in hardship and is the owner of a house in multiple occupation, which lacks standard amenities for the occupants or lacks an adequate means of escape
  4. (d) the applicant is disabled and in hardship.

In view of the availability of funds for home improvement in 1982–83 without limit and the special arrangements for increasing allocations for home improvement in 1983–84 as set out in my right hon. Friend's statement on 25 November—[Vol. 32, c.560–561]—the Government hope that local councils will make full use of their discretion to give grants of up to 90 per cent. in 1983–84.

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