§ Mrs. Lena Jegerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he is taking to ensure that increased social security benefits do not result in any disadvantage regarding rate rebates or differential rents.
§ Mr. MacCollIncreases in benefits are increases in income and it would be difficult to treat them differently from similar increases in small incomes from other sources. Indeed in the case of rate rebates such a distinction could not be made without legislation. Persons in receipt of supplementary benefits, who are those most in need of assistance, normally 67W receive an allowance to cover their rent and rates.
I am writing further to my hon. Friend.