Housing Benefit (Hansard, 10 December 1996)

§ 25. Mr. Burden
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the expenditure on housing benefit in(a) 1985–86 and (b) 1995–96; and what was the real terms change over that period. [6896]

§ Mr. Roger Evans
In 1995–96 prices, expenditure on housing benefit was £5,054 billion for 1985–86 and £10.848 billion for 1995–96. The real terms increase over the period was just under 115 per cent. Overall Government subsidies to housing during the 1990s have remained more or less stable in real terms.

§ Dr. Lynne Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the planned restrictions on housing benefit payments to private deregulated tenants will apply to tenants of properties managed under the housing associations as management agents scheme. [7243]

§ Mr. Roger Evans
Yes. However, claimants exempted from the local reference rent and single room rent rules would not be affected by the proposed restrictions.

§ Dr. Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consultations his Department had with representatives of private landlords prior to his announcement of proposed restrictions on housing benefit payments to tenants of private deregulated properties. [7244]

§ Mr. Roger Evans
The Government receive from time to time representations on all aspects of Social Security matters. The recent announcement of the proposed changes to restrict housing benefit has been referred to the Social Security Advisory Committee for its consideration. These proposed changes will also be the subject of consultation with the local authority associations. Representatives of private landlords, as well as others with an interest in these proposals will have ample opportunity to make their views known. The Government will consider carefully all representations before taking final decisions.