HC Deb 04 February 1986 vol 91 cc137-8W
Mr. Simon Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the reduction in total expenditure on housing benefit, and the number of claimants affected by the adjustments in (a) the rent taper and (b) the rate taper in November 1985.

Mr. Major

It was estimated that 2.06 million households were affected by the increase in the housing benefit rate rebate taper above the needs allowance from 9 per cent. to 13 per cent. in November 1985. Some households gained, however, from the 95p real improvement to the dependent child addition to the needs allowance. The estimated net saving from these changes was £45 million for a full year (1986–87)—£57 million for the rate rebate taper change alone.

The rent rebate tapers were not adjusted in 1985.

Mrs. Beckett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of local authorities in which more than 50 per cent. of ratepayers are receiving housing benefit which meets 100 per cent. of their rates liability; and if he will name these authorities.

Mr. Major

[pursuant to his reply, 27 January 1986, c. 392]: I am not aware of any such authorities although there are a number, including Knowsley, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Sunderland, Birmingham and Sandwell, where more than 50 per cent. of domestic ratepayers receive a full or partial rate rebate.

1982–83 to 1984–85. It also shows the average annual figures over this period as a percentage of the corresponding 1981–82 allocations.

I regret that the information available centrally does not include similar details for individual hospitals within the special health authorities and the groups of hospitals transferred to the regional health authorities. The right hon. Member may care to approach the health authority chairmen concerned for further details.

This information, which is readily available only for England, is derived from comparing the number of domestic hereditaments in April 1984 with the rate rebate caseload for 1984–85 as indicated on local authorities' subsidy returns.