§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he plans to carry out of(a) the performance of local authorities in the administration of Housing Benefit and (b) the commitments in each authority's Best Value performance plan. [134578]
§ Angela EagleWe are determined to drive up the standards of Housing Benefit administration and have introduced a number of initiatives, like Best Value and the Verification Framework, which are designed to promote improved performance. We have a number of measures in place to monitor closely the progress authorities are making towards better service delivery.
The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate has an ongoing programme of inspection of Housing Benefit administration and reports on the performance of each of the local authorities it inspects. As at 27 October 2000, and since its inception in 1998, the Inspectorate has completed and published reports of 72 inspections. A further 47 inspections are in progress or planned.
With the introduction of Best Value, from April this year, the Inspectorate will also carry out inspections which will consider whether local authorities are complying with the requirements of the Best Value framework. In addition, a number of Best Value performance indicators relating to Housing Benefit have been introduced. These will allow us to assess how well authorities are carrying out their benefit administration and whether they are delivering the continuous improvement which Best Value requires.
Best Value also requires each local authority to publish an annual performance plan in which they must set themselves realistic, but challenging, targets for improvement. Auditors review whether the plans have been prepared and published in accordance with the statutory guidance and whether the systems in place are adequate for producing accurate information. Where they are concerned about a performance plan, the auditors can recommend that a Best Value inspection is undertaken.
Further measures will be kept under review.
§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the deductibles affecting a person's entitlement to Housing Benefit. [134650]
§ Angela EagleThere are a number of safeguards in place to prevent Housing Benefit from meeting the full contactual rent where it is excessive or includes charges for services that do not relate to the provision of adequate accommodation. In addition Housing Benefit is an income-related benefit, and entitlement therefore takes account of other income available to those claiming it. The principal restrictions on Housing Benefit entitlement are
257WIneligible service charges:These are any element of rent or compulsory charges, included in the rent, for services that do not relate to the provision of adequate accommodation. They are listed in schedule 1 to the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987 (as amended).Rent restrictions:Claims received from those in the private rented sector will generally be referred to the local Rent Officer by the local authority for a rental valuation to determine the Housing Benefit claim. The functions to be carried out by the Rent Officer in making and notifying his determination to the local authority are set out in the Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions) Order 1997 as amended by the Rent Officer (Housing Benefit Functions) (amendment) Order 2000.Other deductions:Excess income: Where a person's income is higher than the applicable amount, benefit is reduced by a fixed taper of 65 pence for every pound of additional income over the applicable amount.Non-Dependant deduction: Deductions in respect of non-dependant members of a tenant's household are made at nationally set standard rates, depending on their age, circumstances and income.Overpayment deduction: An overpayment of Housing Benefit may be recovered from benefit at a standard rate laid down in legislation.