§ Mr. Robin Cookasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what will be the reduction in expenditure in a full year from increasing the rent taper of housing benefit from 60 per cent. to 65 per cent.; and how many claimants will lose entitlement to housing benefit as a result.
§ Mr. PortilloThe reduction in expenditure in a full year from increasing the housing benefit taper from 60 to 65 per cent. is estimated at £46 million. We now estimate that some 60,000 households will lose all entitlement to rent rebates or allowances as a result of this change.