§ Mr. Andrew Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what, in the light of the economic assumptions contained in the latest Government expenditure plans, is the estimated percentage increase upon which the July 1986 supplementary benefit uprating will be based;
(2) what, in the light of the economic assumptions contained in the latest Government expenditure plans, is the estimated percentage increase upon which the July 1986 housing benefit uprating will be based.
§ Mr. NewtonIn recent years the uprating of the supplementary benefit scale rates has been based on the retail price index excluding housing costs, and that of the housing benefit needs allowances on the retail price index excluding housing costs plus the movement of local authority rent and rates and water rates. It is not the practice to publish forward estimates of movements in individual components of the retail price index.