HC Deb 12 May 1986 vol 97 cc359-61W
Mr. Raynsford

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the total cost of rent rebate and rent allowance payments, the total number of recipients of rent rebates and rent allowance and the average rebate/allowance per recipient, respectively, in the United Kingdom, in England and in Greater London in each year from 1978–79 to 1985–86 and giving an estimate for 1986–87.

Sir George Young

Information on costs and numbers of recipients in Great Britain from 1980–81, including estimates for 1986–87, is contained in the public expenditure White Paper Cmnd. 9702. II tables 3.15 and 3.15.6; similar information for Northern Ireland is also available in tables 3.18.42 and 3.18.43. Corresponding figures for 1978–79 and 1979–80 are in Cmnd. 9143. Estimates of costs, recipients and average payments in England and in London and of average payments in Great Britain are as follows:

Total Expenditure on Rent Rebate and Allowance Schemes London and England
£ million
London England
Rebates Allowances Rebates Allowances
£ million £ million £ million £ million
1978–79 30 10 160 40
1979–80 35 10 180 40

London England
Rebates Allowances Rebates Allowances
£ million £ million £ million £ million
1980–81 45 10 240 50
1981–82 70 15 400 60
1982–83 115 15 770 70
1983–84 300 120 1,660 490
1984–85 330 150 1,790 600
1985–86 340 165 1,890 690
1986–87 350 180 1,950 700

Notes:

Total expenditure includes discretionary payments but excludes administration costs.

Estimates for 1982–83 include "partial start" certificated rebate recipients from November 1982.

Estimates for 1986–87 are provisional, based on advance subsidy claim forms, and are rounded to the nearest £50 million (£10 million in London).

Source:

Department of the Environment subsidy claim forms for years up to 1982–83; DHSS for later years.

Average Payments to Recipients of Rent Rebates and allowances
Great Britain
Rent Rebates Rent Allowances
£ p.w. £ p.w.
1978–79 3.30 3.40
1979–80 3.70 3.60
1980–81 4.60 3.80
1981–82 6.00 5.00
1982–83 5.90 5.20

Rent Rebates Rent Allowances
£ p.w. £ p.w.
1983–84 9.90 10.20
1984–85 10.90 11.40
1985–86 11.50 12.80
1986–87 11.90 13.00

Total numbers of recipients, and average weekly payments, of Rent Rebates and Allowances London and England
London London England England
Recipients of Average payments Recipients of Average payments
Rebates Allowances Rebates Allowances Rebates Allowances Rebates Allowances
000's 000' s £ pw £ pw 000's 000's £ pw £ pw
April 1978 140 50 4.00 3.70 930 200 3.40 3.20
April 1979 140 50 4.50 4.10 920 200 3.60 3.50
May 1980 140 50 5.20 4.60 960 210 4.40 4.00
May 1981 160 50 7.20 5.20 1,150 210 6.20 4.60
May 1982 180 50 8.30 5.70 1,260 230 7.20 5.30
May 1983 400 140 12.40 11.00 2,820 680 10.70 10.20
May 1984 480 200 13.20 13.70 2,940 860 11.40 12.00
May 1985 460 200 13.90 15.40 2,900 900 12.30 13.20
May 1986 * * * * * * * *

Source: Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy/Department of the Environment Annual Housing Rents and Benefits returns.

* Estimates not available.