§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what scale rent and rate rebates currently operate; how many people benefit and at what approximate cost; and if he will estimate the numbers that would cease to be eligible, and at what saving, if the single and married allowances for income tax were lifted to £1,800 and £3,500 in 1983–84, if two reduced rate bands of £1,000 were then payable at 10 per cent. and 20 per cent., if national insurance were chargeable at 9 per cent. on incremental income above the basic tax allowances instead of the present system, and if child benefit were raised to £15 per week.
§ Sir George YoungEntitlement depends on an individual applicant's circumstances, not on any single scale. I am writing to the hon. Member more fully on this point. During 1981–82 the cost of rent rebates and allowances and rate rebates, excluding administrative costs, was £811 million in England and Wales; an estimated 3.3 million to 3.4 million households received assistance. These figures exclude supplementary benefits.
For 1983–84, the new housing benefit system will be fully in operation and questions on it should be referred to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.