Housing Benefit

HC Deb 16 January 1987 vol 108 cc346-7W

Mr. Raynsford

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table showing the total number and percentage of all (a) local authority tenants and (b) private tenants in Great Britain receiving means-tested housing assistance, including housing benefit, rent rebates, rent allowance and supplementary benefit, in each of the years from 1979 to 1986, the total cost of such payments and the average payment per recipient.

Table 1
Rent rebate and supplementary benefit equivalent to local authority and new town corporation tenants (Great Britain)
Year	Average number of Recipients (000)'s	Percentage of all LA Dwellings	Total Expenditure £'s (million)	Average Amount £'s per week
1979–80	2,650	40	630	4.60
1980–81	2,480	44	840	5.70
1981–82	3,350	52	1,310	7.50
1982–83	3,580	57	1,750	9.40
1983–84	3,780	61	1,980	10.10
1984–85	3,790	63	2,150	10.9
1985–86	3,860	63	2,290	11.40
1986–87	3,745	63	2,418	12.40

Notes:

1. The percentage of all LA dwellings is calculated using information on dwelling stock which includes vacant properties.

2. The figure for 1986–87 has been calculated using information on 1985 dwelling stock.

3. Estimates for 1986–87 arc highly provisional and are subject to revision. Those for earlier years may be subject to minor revision.

Table 2
Rent allowance and supplementary benefit equivalent to private sector tenants (Great Britain)
Year	Average number of recipients 000's	Percentage of all private tenants	Total expenditure £ million	Average amount £ per week
1979–80	700	26	160	4.30
1980–81	710	27	190	5.10
1981–82	800	31	280	6.60
1982–83	840	33	380	8.70
1983–84	1,020	41	540	10.20
1984–85	1,120	46	670	11.50
1985–86	1,160	49	780	12.90
1986–87	1,190	50	1,016	16.40

Notes

1. The percentage of all private tenants is calculated using information on dwelling stock which includes vacant properties and properties where there are "nil" rents (these tenants would not be eligible for housing benefit). It also includes as one dwelling multi-occupied properties with shared facilities where there may potentially be more than one housing benefit claimant.

2. The figure for 1986–87 percentage of all private tenants has been calculated using information on 1985 dwelling stock.

3. Estimates for 1986–87 are highly provisional and are subject to revision. Those for earlier years may be subject to minor revision.