HC Deb 06 December 1984 vol 69 c265W
Mr. Fry

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people are in receipt of rent and rate rebate but not supplementary benefit at the latest count.

Mr. Newton

Standard housing benefit is payable to claimants not in receipt of supplementary benefit. It is estimated that as at autumn 1983, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of households in Great Britain receiving standard housing benefit was as follows:

Number
Rent rebate 1,830,000
Rent allowance 390,000
Rate rebate 3,660,000

These figures are not cumulative. A claimant in receipt of a rate rebate may also be in receipt of a rent rebate or a rent allowance. I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Kensington (Sir B. Rhys Williams) on 29 November at column 570 for information on those receiving help with both rent and rates.