§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will publish a table showing the cut-off points in net and gross terms for families with children claiming family credit and housing benefit based on average rent and rates for families with one, two and three children aged under 11 years, broken down into one and two parent families;
(2) if he will publish a table showing the cut-off points in net and gross terms for families with children claiming family credit for families with one, two and three children aged under 11 years.
§ Mr. ScottThe closing date for submission of statistical returns by local authorities was 16 November 1988. Some returns are still awaited and those received to date are being validated. The information will be made available when checking of all local authority returns is complete.
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§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has any plans to review the cut in housing benefit experienced by hospital patients after six weeks in hospital; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottThe downrating of housing benefit after six weeks in hospital was introduced as part of the reforms in April to achieve common rules for the treatment of patients in the main social security benefits. The system ensures that, after downrating, all claimants will have sufficient income to meet their eligible housing costs over and above the basic income support level.
We have undertaken to continue monitoring the effects of the reforms.