§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications for housing benefit by tenants of Thamesmead Town Ltd. include service charges; and what advice has been provided by his Department to Thamesmead Town Ltd., Greenwich council and Bexley council about the eligibility of service charges for housing benefit.
§ Mr. PortilloInformation on the number of applications for housing benefit by tenants of Thamesmead Town Ltd. which include service charges is not held centrally. Advice on both the existing regulations and the regulations which take effect in April has been issued to all authorities with responsibility for the administration of housing benefit, including the London boroughs of Greenwich and Bexley. The most recent guidance makes it clear that our policy remains that charges for services which the tenant has no option but to pay and which are connected with the provision of adequate accommodation should be eligible for housing benefit.