§ Mr. Fryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the cost to public funds of including water rates in the rate rebate scheme.
§ Mr. WhitneyI shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the level of disregarded income for each spouse under the rent and rate rebate scheme in the year to November 1984; and what were the rent and rate rebate needs allowances levels for (a) a couple, (b) a single person and (c) each dependent child in the year to November 1984.
§ Mr. WhitneyInformation on the level of disregarded income for each spouse under the housing benefits scheme is not available as this will vary according to individual circumstances. For the year ending November 1984 the earnings disregard was £17.45 a week for the principal earner and £5 a week for the second earner. Details of the full range of income disregards are in schedule 2 (as amended) to the Housing Benefits Regulations 1982.
The needs allowances requested for the year ending November 1984 were:
a. £63.50; b. £43.05; c. £11.90.