Mr. Hordenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing how many people are now eligible for housing benefit; and how many received rent or rate rebates or housing benefit, as appropriate, in 1954, 1960, 1970, 1980 and in each succeeding year to the latest convenient date.
§ Sir George YoungEstimates are not yet available of households eligible since introduction of the new housing benefit scheme. Available estimates of recipients are as follows:
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Maximum income of householder (and spouse) eligible for rebates on average rent or rates (a) 1980 to 1983, April of each year England and Wales Per cent of average earnings (b) 1980 1981 1982 1983* Rent rebates One person household earnings disregard: None 46 53 54 48 Maximum 50 60 64 59 Married couple, no children earnings disregard: None 57 65 66 60 One maximum 62 72 76 71 Both Maximum 66 75 79 74 Married couple, two children earnings disregard: None 70 78 80 73 One maximum 74 85 89 84 Both maximum 78 89 93 87 Rate rebates One person household earnings disregard: None 54 56 57 53 Maximum 58 63 67 64
Per cent of average earnings (b) 1980 1981 1982 1983* Married couple, no children earnings disregard: None 65 68 69 65 Maximum for one 69 75 79 75 Maximum for both 73 79 82 78 Married couple, two children earnings disregard: None 78 82 83 78 Maximum for one 82 89 93 89 Maximum for both 86 92 96 92 £ per week (a) Average unrebated local authority dwelling rent, England and Wales 7.71 11.43 13.52 14.06 Average unrebated domestic rates, all tenants, England and Wales 3.75 4.60 5.31 5.69 (b) Average earings of full-time adult males, Great Britain 124.5 140.5 154.5 167.5 * April 1983 estimates based on needs allowance for household heads below pensionable age.