§ Sir Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have taken the habitual residence test; and if he will list(a) how many have failed it, (b) their nationality and (c) their age.
§ Mr. Roger EvansAll income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit claimants have been subject to the habitual residence test since its introduction on 1 August 1994. Provisional figures from the Benefits Agency for the period 1 August to 30 November 1994 indicate that 9,601 income support claimants failed to satisfy the test. Information in relation to housing benefit and council tax benefit claimants who fail the test will not be available until late 1996. Information about a claimant's nationality is not available. Information about a claimant's age is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.