HL Deb 18 May 1984 vol 451 c1664WA
Lord Dunleath

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the cost to the taxpayer of the operation of housing benefit in Northern Ireland since the passing of the enabling legislation in 1983, and what is the actual cost compared with that estimated at the time that the scheme was introduced.

Lord Lyell

The reformed housing benefits schemes were introduced on 21st November 1983 when it was estimated that the cost up to and including 31 st March 1984 would be as follows:

£ million
Housing benefits:
tenants 30.3
owner-occupiers 1.8
Administration:
Housing Executive 1.2
DoE(NI) 0.5
Total 33.8

The actual costs are not yet available but it seems unlikely that they will vary significantly from the estimates.