HC Deb 09 May 1994 vol 243 cc24-5W
Mr. Bradley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security to what extent a person with no housing costs, who is on income support, and who moves out of the matrimonial home, is entitled to help with the costs of a new mortgage.

Mr. Burt

From May 1994, persons in receipt of income support with no housing costs who move out of the matrimonial home will not receive help with the interest on a new mortgage for a new home unless it relates to the special needs of a disabled person, the need to provide separate sleeping accommodation for children of different sexes over the age of 10 years, or it is for essential repairs and improvements.

Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many income support claimants had deductions from their benefit amounting to(a) over 15 per cent. and (b) over 20 per cent. of (i) their benefit income and (ii) their total income.

Mr. Burt

The latest available information is in the table.

Number of cases
Benefit income
Deductions over 15 per cent. of benefit income 260,000
Deductions over 20 per cent. of benefit income 156,000
Total income
Deductions over 15 per cent. of total income 244,000
Deductions over 20 per cent. of total income 146,000

Source: Income Support Statistical Enquiry, May 1992.

Notes:

1. The deductions are for direct payments to third parties, Social Fund loan repayments, and overpayment recoveries. The third party deductions include direct payments to lenders of the mortgage

Income Support Recipients Cases with Deductions
Cases with one or more deductions Number of Cases Average Total Income Cases with more than one deduction Number of Cases Average Total Income
Higher Pensioner Premium 23,000 98.07 4,000 99.18
Enhanced Pensioner Premium 4,000 69.01 1,000 60.16
Pensioner Premium 38,000 74.76 10,000 72.12
Severe Disability Premium (Higher Rate) — n/a — n/a
Severe Disability Premium (Lower Rate) 5,000 144.81 2,000 159.76
Disability Premium 97,000 98.33 35,000 104.57
Lone Parent Premium 422,000 94.69 176,000 96.47
Disabled Child Premium 11,000 183.26 5,000 176.99
Family Premium 605,000 105.78 245,000 106.28
Carer Premium 14,000 147.75 5,000 151.14
No Premium 274,000 48.57 54,000 48.44

Source: Income Support Statistics Annual Enquiry May 1992.

Notes:

  1. 1. The deductions are for direct payments to third parties, social fund repayments, and overpayment recoveries.
  2. 2. Income does not include housing benefit or council tax benefit because this information is not available.

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