§ 24. Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what savings have taken place in the work load of his Department through the transfer of housing benefit payments to local authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonThe savings in staffing came in two phases. First, the simpler local authority rent-rates cases were transferred to local authorities from October 1982, generating workload reductions equivalent to 622 staff. The second phase began in April 1983, saving work equivalent to 1,823 staff.
§ 64. Mr. Beaumont-Darkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the carrying out of the housing benefit scheme.
§ Dr. BoysonThe housing benefit scheme has brought important advantages for claimants and local authorities, but we recognise that it is not everything that it could be. That is why my right hon. Friend has established an independent review of the scheme, under the chairmanship of Mr. Jeremy Rowe CBE. to examine its structure and scope and to seek ways of improving its administration by local authorities.