§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the figures in real and cash terms for expenditure on housing benefit in the last three financial years of the old scheme and the estimated expenditure for the current financial year.
§ Mr. PortilloExpenditure on housing benefit in the last three financial years of the old scheme and estimated expenditure for the current financial year in real and cash terms is set out in the tables. Real expenditure is shown in 1988/89 prices. Estimated expenditure for the current financial year includes the changes announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the House on 27 April 1988.
£ million 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 11988–89 Table 1: Cash expenditure Housing benefit rent allowance and rebate 3,129 3,368 3,620 3,936 rate rebate 1,510 1,650 1,760 1,378 TOTAL 4,639 5,018 5,380 5,314 Table 2: Real expenditure (1988–89 prices) Housing benefit rent allowance and rebate 3,545 3,696 3,783 3,936 rate rebate 1,711 1,810 1,839 1,378 TOTAL 5,256 5,506 5,622 5,314 1Estimate.
§ Mr. GrahamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people in Renfrew district council and 413W Inverclyde district council are in receipt of less money due to the changes in housing benefits; and if he will show their previous and current entitlement.
§ Mr. PortilloI regret that information relating to individual local authorities is not available.
§ Mr. GrahamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will visit the constituencies of Renfrew, West and Inverclyde in 1988 to meet those who have had their housing benefit cut due to the recent changes in benefits.
§ Mr. PortilloWe have no immediate plans to do so.