HC Deb 21 January 1997 vol 288 cc566-7W
Mr. Alan Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of(a) the cost and (b) the numbers gaining from reducing the family credit taper to (i) 60 per cent. and (ii) 50 per cent. [10989]

Mr. Roger Evans

The information is set out in the table.

Average amount of housing benefit/council tax benefit (May 1995)
Housing benefit £ Council tax benefit £
With earnings from employment 31.99 4.98
Also receiving family credit 30.98 4.49
Also receiving disability working allowance 27.81 5.33

Source:

Housing benefit management information system, 1 per cent, annual sample inquiry for housing benefits/council tax benefits recipients not in receipt of income support, for Great Britain taken at the end of May 1995.

Note:

This analysis has only provided the weekly amount of benefit for those who do not also receive income support. There are cases where housing benefit/council tax benefit recipients with income support who also have earnings from employment, family credit and disability working allowance.

Mr. William Powell

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the most recently available figure for the housing benefit live load in each district of Northamptonshire; and what are the costs involved. [11076]

Mr. Evans

The information is set out in the table.

Northamptonshire local authority district Number of housing benefit recipients (1995–96 average) Housing benefit expenditure costs (1995–96) £
Corby 5,230 8,964,000
Daventy 2,860 5,091,000

Northamptonshire local authority district Number of housing benefit recipients (1995–96 average) Housing benefit expenditure costs (1995–96) £
East Northants 3,690 6,949,000
Kettering 4,680 9,778,000
Northampton 14,030 30,549,000
South Northants 2,710 5,563,000
Wellingborough 4,720 8,639,000

Sources:

1. DSS local authority expenditure claim forms.

2. Department of the Environment local authority expenditure claim forms.

3. DSS housing benefit management information system.