§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the level of rent stop applied to supplementary benefit claimants by each of his 408W Department's offices in Birmingham by name for (a) bedsits, (b) one-bedroom flats and (c) other types of furnished accommodation by category; and how this compares with the position one year and three years ago.
§ Dr. BoysonSince April 1983, when the housing benefit scheme was fully- introduced, neither rent nor general rates have been met by supplementary benefit. Prior to that date there was no rent stop as benefit officers considered whether housing costs were unreasonably high on an individual basis.
In 1982, housing costs were restricted in less than 2 per cent. (1 per cent. in 1980) of householder cases and the average amount unmet ranged from £1.84 (87p in 1980) to £6.92 (£7.30 in 1980) per week.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will draw to the attention of supplementary benefit officers the decision of the Supplementary Benefit Commissioner in a 1981 Merseyside case in respect of furniture grants to supplementary benefit claimants that the words suitable and available should be construed in relation to the claimant, and that accommodation is not available to a claimant if, for whatever reason, he is unacceptable as a tenant to a landlord; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonA tribunal of social security commissioners has recently issued a decision (R(SB)8/84) on the general interpretation of the phrase
no suitable alternative furnished accommodation available in the area",including the points to which the hon. Member refers. This decision is being published, and the chief supplementary benefit officer has issued circular S/8/84 which gives advice and guidance to supplementary benefit officers on how to apply the commissioners' decision to individual single payment furniture claims where the clause is relevant. A copy of the circular has been placed in the Library of the House.