§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the student claims for rent allowance under the Housing Act 1980 for those paying rents over £13 a week.
§ Mr. StanleyProviding they meet the statutory criteria under the current housing legislation there is no bar on students applying for rent allowances. This has been the position since a national system of rent rebates and allowances was introduced in 1972.
However, if a student is statutorily eligible for a rent allowance, his entitlement, which relates to the occupational rent only—that is, excluding services, rates, furnishing and board—is reduced by a deduction in term time representing the element for rent in student grants. This deduction currently is £10 per week. Proposals for an increase in this deduction in respect of 1982–83 will be put before the House in an order shortly.