HC Deb 14 May 1981 vol 4 c323W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the number of people (a) entitled to and (b) receiving housing rebates, distinguishing between people in paid work, people in receipt of short-term national insurance benefit and people in receipt of long-term national insurance benefit.

Mr. Stanley

About 1.2 million households in England and Wales received a rent rebate or allowance in April 1980; of that number it is estimated that 16 per cent. of heads of households were in paid work, either part or full time. About 1.8 million households were entitled to a rebate or allowance; some 28 per cent. of the heads of these households were in paid work. These estimates are subject to a wide margin of error. I regret that estimates of those in receipt of long or short term national insurance benefits are not available.