§ Mr. DowdTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to review the regulations governing entitlement to housing benefit in the cases of those claimants whose savings exceed the prescribed limit only by virtue of delayed back-payment of other allowances by the Benefits Agency; and what action he has taken in the case of the couple in Forest Hill, London SE23, raised with him by the London borough of Lewisham.
§ Mr. BurtAll of the income-related benefits treat back payments of these allowances in the same way. We have no plans at present to change these arrangements. In the case of the couple in Forest Hill, an interim reply was sent to the London borough of Lewisham on 23 July 1993. I will write to the hon. Member with further details shortly.
§ Mr. RaynsfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evidence he has received about the administration of housing benefit; and what plans he has to improve the speed and standard of service.
§ Mr. BurtThe day-to-day administration of housing benefit is the responsibility of local authorities. The Department routinely collects statistical information from authorities about housing benefit and council tax benefit including information about the way that the benefits are administered. Evidence shows that in 1991–92, around 75 per cent. of all housing benefit claims were processed within 14 days of receipt of all the necessary information.
The Department has also received a number of reports, including "Remote Control and Benefits Administration—a Management Handbook" from the Audit Commission and "Managing Housing Benefit" from the Accounts Commission. Both commissions have emphasised that authorities can do much by improved organisation and by setting and monitoring standards to improve the way they deliver housing benefit.
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