§ 17. Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest figures available to his Department on the number of housing benefit cases on which a review has been requested; and what was the number of these referred to a review board.
§ 18. Mr. Flanneryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total number of posts within his Department reduced directly as a result of the introduction of housing benefit.
§ Dr. BoysonStatistical returns so far made to the Department for the period 1 April—30 September 1983, record a total of 6,232 reviews carried out at official level, and 303 cases referred to review boards. The number of posts in the Department saved as a result of the introduction of housing benefit is 2,445.
§ 21. Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people he estimates will have their income reduced by changes announced recently in payment of housing benefit.
§ 22. Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has had on the administration of housing benefit; and if he will make a statement.
§ 73. Mr. Barronasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received, directly or indirectly, from local authority associations about the administration and operation of housing benefit.
§ Dr. BoysonIt is not possible to aggregate the total number of people affected by the proposed changes. We estimate that of the almost 7 million households receiving housing benefits around 2.2 million households will have their benefit reduced as a result of the two major proposals: 423W the changes to the tapers above the needs allowance and the proposed increase in the minimum amounts payable to claimants not in receipt of supplementary benefit.
We have received a number of representations on the administration of the housing benefit scheme. In particular, the local authority associations have put forward various proposals for simplifying or improving the administration of the scheme, many of which we have been able to accept.
§ 51. Mr. Leightonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information has been sought by his Department as to the total number of staff employed by local authorities as a direct result of the introduction of housing benefit.
§ Dr. BoysonThe Department has asked local authorities to estimate the number of additional staff required to administer the new scheme as part of their claims for administration costs for 1983–84. It is too early to make a firm national estimate on the basis of those returns so far received.
§ 66. Mr. Stan Thorneasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, what is the total expenditure on housing benefit payments in 1983–84.
§ Dr. BoysonThe total estimated cost of housing benefit in 1983–84 is £3,572 million.
§ 70. Mr. James Lamondasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received concerning the recently announced changes to housing benefit.
§ Dr. BoysonI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 7 December 1983.—[Vol. 50, c.194.]