§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many working families with children who are in receipt of rent rebates also pay tax;
(2) what are the most recent figures for the total number of people receiving rent rebates; and how many of these are families with dependent children;
(3) if he will publish in the Official Report more recent figures on means-tested benefits than those for 1979 given in the reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North (Mr. Howell) on 1 December 1980, Official Report, c. 87–88.
§ Sir George YoungThe following estimates for 1980, which are based on the combined results of the family expenditure survey for 1979 and 1980, are subject to considerable sampling error.
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Estimates of households (thousands) in England and Wales entitled to, and receiving rent rebates, rent allowances and rate rebates: 1980 Rent Rebates Rent Allowances Rate Rebates Entitled Receiving Entitled Receiving Entitled Receiving Households without children 1,060 830 315 210 3,290 2,590 Two-parent families 230 110 35 630 200 One-parent families 120 80 270 140 All households 1,410 1,020 350 210 4,190 2,930 Notes:
1. The total numbers of households receiving rent rebates/allowances are those reported to CIPFA as in receipt of these rebates/allowances at May 1980. The total number of households receiving rate rebates are as reported by local authorities and new towns for the financial year 1980–81.
2. The estimates of total numbers of people entitled, and the estimated allocations by household types, are based on the family expenditure survey samples for 1979 and 1980. These estimates are subject to very high sampling errors. The numbers in the sample of families receiving rent allowances* are inadequate as a basis for an estimate.
3. All numbers exclude households receiving supplementary benefit.
* The figures for rent allowances refer to the unfurnished sector only.
The number of households in England and Wales receiving rent rebates at October 1981 was 1–3 million, but the number of these with children cannot yet be estimated.
Information is not available on how many households receiving housing benefits pay income tax.