HC Deb 22 November 1985 vol 87 cc335-6W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what will be the maximum amount that can be paid to a homeless 16-year-old with no dependants, who is claiming board and lodging allowance in (a) London, (b) Manchester, (c) Norwich and (d) Cromer and who is receiving unemployment benefit or supplementary benefit, laundry allowance and any other allowances to which he is entitled after the proposed changes as outlined in his Department's publication "Supplementary Benefit Board and Lodging Areas, Second Edition."

Mr. Newton

The supplementary benefit requirements of a single adult boarder are the amount of his boarding charge, subject to a limit, plus a personal expenses allowance of £9.25 (or £10.30 at the long-term rate). The limits prescribed in the publication "Supplementary Benefit Maximum Amounts, Initial Periods and Board and Lodging Areas" for(a) London, (b) Manchester, (c) Norwich and (d) Cromer are (a) £70, (b) £55, (c) £60 and (d) £60. In addition, according to his circumstances, a boarder can qualify for additional requirements as prescribed in schedule 4 to the Supplementary Benefit (Requirements) Regulations 1983 (SI 1983 No. 1399) but only to the extent that the items are not included in his boarding charge. In the case of laundry the amount would be the actual expenditure incurred less 50 pence.

Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why, in view of the fact that of the 1,170 claims examined in the Euston board and lodging area, 55 per cent. of claimants were found not to be resident at the hotel stated in their claim forms, only 10 claimants were prosecuted.

Mr. Newton

The cases were examined to establish how many claimants in the Euston area had moved during the currency of their claims without giving notice of change of address. In all cases where claimants were found to have moved, benefit payments were stopped immediately. Continued inquiries are being made into the whereabouts and benefit entitlement of the missing claimants, and so far 13 prosecutions have been brought. My right hon. Friend has indicated that the Department will, in the light of evidence in this and other cases, step up its action to deal with this kind of abuse of the system.