§ Mr. Woodcockasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the increase in council tenants' rent arrears over the last three years; and whether he will make a statement.
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§ Sir George YoungFigures collected by my Department show that between 31 March 1980 and 31 March 1983, gross rent arrears due to local authorities in England and Wales rose from £74 million to £176 million. These totals represented 3.8 per cent. and 5 per cent. of the local authority rent roll for the two years respectively.
The Audit Commission's recent report "Bringing Council Tenants' Arrears under control" estimates that at September 1983, arrears had risen to about £240 million.
This report, and my Department's report "Preventing Rent Arrears" published last autumn both contain a range of advice on the action which landlord authorities can take to prevent and reduce rent arrears. Copies of both reports have been sent to all landlord authorities in England and Wales. They are available in the Library.