§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will detail what proportion of water charges (i) existing claimants and (ii) new claimants after April will be expected to meet; and if he will detail the rebates scheme available to those on low income to assist with their water charges.
§ Mr. PortilloAt present, help is available for water charges under the supplementary benefit scheme either as part of the supplementary benefit payment or, under an administrative arrangement, with housing benefit. As part of the social security reforms individual amounts for water charges will no longer be included in benefit. Both existing and new claimants after April 1988 will be required to pay the full amount of their water charge bill themselves. Rebates will not be available for this cost, but in setting the levels of income support for April 1988 account was taken of the overall amount spent in supplementary benefit on water charges.