§ Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment has been made of the number of(a) owner occupiers, (b) private tenants and (c) social housing tenants in each local authority area, who will be affected by the restriction in council tax benefit to the band E level. [19344]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyThe information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.
Estimated number of council tax benefit recipients affected by the restrictions to band E Tenure group Number of recipients Owner occupiers 25,000 Social housing tenants 5,000 Private tenants 15,000 Not identified1 15,000 Total 65,000 Notes:
1 Not identified. However, it is likely that the majority of these cases will be owner occupiers.
1. Numbers of recipients have been rounded to the nearest 5,000 cases. Figures do not sum due to rounding.
Source:
Housing Benefit Management Information Statistics.
§ Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the estimated savings in each of the first three years, from the restrictions of council tax benefit to the band E level from April 1998. [19343]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyThe information is set out in the table.
605W
Estimated savings in each of the first three years from restrictions of council tax benefit to band E £ million Year Estimated savings 1998–1999 15 1999–2000 15 2000–2001 15
- 1. Savings have been rounded to the nearest £5 million.
- 2. Figures are modelled using the May 1995 Housing Benefit (Management Information System) uprated to each of the above years in line with March 1997 Departmental Report forecasts of caseloads and expenditure.
§ Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment has been made of the(a) additional council tax arrears and (b) costs to local authorities and magistrates courts of additional enforcement action, which will result from the restriction of council tax benefit to the band E level. [19346]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyThis measure will affect only those people living in the most expensive properties, and the numbers are small: less than 2 per cent. of Council Tax Benefit recipients will be affected, the majority of whom will lose less than £3.00 per week. It will be for individual Local Authorities to determine what action to take in respect of individuals who do not meet their liability.
§ Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimates have been made of(a) the average and (b) the maximum annual shortfall council tax benefit claimants will have to meet in respect of those living in properties in bands F, G and H as a result of the restriction of council tax benefit to the band E level. [19345]
§ Mr. DenhamThe information is set out in the table.
Estimated average and maximum annual shortfalls to be met by council tax benefit recipients in bands F, G and H Band Average annual shortfall (£) Maximum annual shortfall (£) F 150 247 G 290 494 H 243 864
- 1. The average annual shortfall is based on projections for 1998–99.
- 2. The available data cannot predict the maximum annual shortfall Council Tax Benefit recipients will have to meet. Therefore, the maximum annual figures are hypothetical based on the 1997 council tax in Liverpool.
§ Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which 20 local authority areas he estimates will yield the greatest savings from restricting council tax benefit to band E from April 1998. [19347]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyA reliable estimate on an individual Local Authority basis is not available.
Note:
The effects of this policy are modelled using Housing Benefit Management Information Statistics. This is sample data encompassing 1 per cent. of Council Tax Benefit recipients. This data provides an accurate picture of the characteristics of the Council Tax Benefit recipient population as a whole.606W
§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to amend the nominal rate for interest received on savings, used in the calculation of council tax benefit. [19349]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Wales (Mr. Hinchliffe) on 2 July 1997,Official Report, columns 205–06.