§ Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the £225 rateable value limit for eligibility for home improvement grants was introduced; what is the current value of the original £225 figure in real terms; and whether he has any proposals to increase this figure to take account of this decline in real values.
§ Mr. StanleyThe current rateable value limit for improvement and repairs grants, which is £400 in Greater London and £225 elsewhere, has stood since 1977. As there has not been a general rating revaluation since then, the effect of the limit, in terms of those properties which it affects, is largely unchanged. Nevertheless, the Government continue to keep the limit under review.