Housing Benefit (Hansard, 18 March 1997)

§ Mr. Timms
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what was the expenditure on rent rebate and council tax benefit for unemployed claimants in each year from 1978–79 to 1996–97; [20297]
(2) what was the expenditure on housing benefit for unemployed claimants in each year from 1978–79 to 1996–97. [20298]

§ Mr. Roger Evans
The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table:
Disaggregated information is not available for the years before 1994–95 and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Expenditure on unemployed a claimants

Total housing benefit and Council tax benefit¹ (or community charge benefit or rate rebates) Housing benefit (rent rebate) Housing benefit (rent allowance) Council tax benefit

1978–79 241 — — —

1979–80 270 — — —

1980–81 354 — — —

1981–82 555 — — —

1982–83 700 — — —

1983–84 814 — — —

1984–85 912 — — —

1985–86 1,015 — — —

1986–87 1,101 — — —

1987–88 1,142 — — —

1988–89 1,211 — — —

1989–90 1,127 — — —

1990–91 1,489 — — —

1991–92 1,747 — — —

1992–93 2,187 — — —

1993–94 2,331 — — —

1994–95 2,626 738 1,542 346

1995–96 2,679 617 1,765 297

Note:
¹ Council tax benefit was introduced in 1993–94 and replaced community charge benefit, formerly rate rebates.
Sources:
1. Figures underlying table 5 in the 1996 departmental report.
2. Housing benefit management information system.

§ Mr. Timms
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list(a) the number of 18 to 24-year-olds claiming housing benefit and (b) the average housing benefit payment to 18 to 24-year-olds. [20343]
568W

§ Mr. Evans
The information is set out in the table.

Housing benefit recipients Average weekly housing benefit

Claimants aged 18 to 24 452,000 £45.61

Source:
Housing benefit management information system, annual 1 per cent. sample May 1995.
Notes:
1.Figures exclude cases eligible for housing benefit but whose entitlement was 'nil'
after account taken of non-dependant deductions.
2. Age is given as age of claimant only.
3.Recipients may be single persons or couples.

Expenditure on unemployed a claimants
	Total housing benefit and Council tax benefit¹ (or community charge benefit or rate rebates)	Housing benefit (rent rebate)	Housing benefit (rent allowance)	Council tax benefit
1978–79	241	—	—	—
1979–80	270	—	—	—
1980–81	354	—	—	—
1981–82	555	—	—	—
1982–83	700	—	—	—
1983–84	814	—	—	—
1984–85	912	—	—	—
1985–86	1,015	—	—	—
1986–87	1,101	—	—	—
1987–88	1,142	—	—	—
1988–89	1,211	—	—	—
1989–90	1,127	—	—	—
1990–91	1,489	—	—	—
1991–92	1,747	—	—	—
1992–93	2,187	—	—	—
1993–94	2,331	—	—	—
1994–95	2,626	738	1,542	346
1995–96	2,679	617	1,765	297

	Housing benefit recipients	Average weekly housing benefit
Claimants aged 18 to 24	452,000	£45.61