§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his best estimate of the amount of the reduction in community charge benefit payments in 1991–92 due to the £140 reduction in headline bills.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe reduction is about £850 million.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the cost to his Department in 1991–92 of abolishing the poll tax 20 per cent. contribution rule.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe latest estimate is that the total cost in 1991–92 of awarding 100 per cent. maximum community charge benefit would be £440 million at current benefit levels. Such a change would affect all people receiving community charge benefit including those people on income support and equivalent incomes. This estimate assumes that no reductions are made in the income-related benefit levels which were adjusted in April 1989, to include help towards the 20 per cent. contribution to the community charge, at an estimated cost of £500 million.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much will be saved by his Department in community charge benefit subsidy in(a) 1990–91 and (b) 1991–92 for each local authority which is a housing benefit authority as a result of poll tax capping.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe information requested is not available.