HC Deb 26 May 1977 vol 932 cc571-2W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the total costs of (a) rent rebates, (b) rent allowances, and (c) rate rebates for each year since they were introduced, together with the estimated cost in the current financial year.

Mr. Armstrong

Following is the available information:

COST OF RENT REBATES, RENT ALLOWANCES AND RATE REBATES: ENGLAND AND WALES: FINANCIAL YEAR 1968–78
£ millions
Financial year ending Rent rebates Rent allowances Rate rebate
March 1968 12 — 12
March 1969 14 — 13
March 1970 15 — 14
March 1971 18 — 15
March 1972 17 — 18
March 1973 77 13 23
March 1974 167 25 28
March 1975 202 33 85
March 1976 223 48 117
March 1977* 281 78 Not available
March 1978* 337 81 Not available
* Provisional.

Notes:

  1. 1. Rent rebates and allowances paid to tenants who received Supplementary Benefit are included from 1972–73.
  2. 2. Rent rebates and allowances became compulsory in 1972 and 1973 respectively.
  3. 3. A more generous rate rebate scheme was introduced in 1974.