HC Deb 15 December 1997 vol 303 cc67-8W
23. Mr. Day

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the impact of the proposed reduction in council tax benefit. [19079]

Mr. Keith Bradley

The proposal to limit Council Tax Benefit for properties in bands F, G and H to the maximum available for band E properties is one of a number of measures we inherited from the previous Administration. We have had to make a number of hard choices in order to honour our commitment to keep spending within the planned ceiling for Social Security expenditure. We have decided, therefore, to proceed with the measure.

Sixty-five thousand people will be affected. But we are continuing to fully subsidise more than 98 per cent. of Council Tax Benefit recipients who do not live in the most expensive properties.

Mr. Gorrie

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much money will be saved by the proposed restriction of council tax benefit for those living in properties of higher values in(a) England and Wales and (b) Scotland. [19065]

Mr. Keith Bradley

The estimated savings from the restriction of Council Tax Benefit for properties in council tax bands F, G and H to band E are £131/2 million in England and Wales and £11/2 million in Scotland for 1998–99.