HC Deb 16 January 1996 vol 269 cc570-1W
Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the effect on revenues in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98 of the proposal to extend help with housing benefit and council tax benefit during the first four weeks of work for unemployed people returning to work. [8505]

Mr. Roger Evans

The estimated additional cost of paying of housing benefit and council tax benefit for the first four weeks for unemployed people, lone parents, carers and those attending Government training schemes who return to work is £50 million for each of the years 1996–97 and 1997–98. The overall final cost will depend on the number of people whom this work incentive measure helps back into work. We shall be monitoring and evaluating this carefully.