§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of calculating entitlement to housing benefit and council tax benefit for non-resident parents on the basis of income net of any maintenance they have been assessed as liable to pay under the proposed new child support scheme. [101204]
§ Angela EagleWe estimate that the cost of an income disregard for maintenance paid by non-resident parents in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit would be in the order of –30 million a year.
Notes:
- 1. Based on data taken from the 1996–97 Family Resources Survey uprated to 2000–2001 prices, benefits and earnings levels.
- 2. Assumes an October 2001 start date. Caseloads have been projected forward on the basis of actual growth in the CSA caseload between 1996–97 and August 1999, and subsequent forecast growth until October 2001.
- 3. The cost has been rounded to the nearest –10 million.
- 4. This cost will include a small element of spousal maintenance, plus child maintenance which is not organised through the CSA.