§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make an estimate of the cost to public funds of maintaining eligibility for housing benefit for students.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe most recent housing benefit statistical returns available are from May 1988 and indicate that 78,000 students were in receipt of benefit at that time. On the assumption that the numbers claiming remain at that level and taking the proposed top-up loan into account as income, the net cost of maintaining students' eligibility for housing benefit is estimated to be £35 million in a full year. Nevertheless, with the introduction of top-up loans and access funds the Government expect to be spending over £100 million more on student support even after the withdrawal of entitlement to income support, unemployment benefit and housing benefit for the majority of full-time students.