HC Deb 14 June 1988 vol 135 cc149-50W
19. Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the number of housing claimants who are likely still to be losers after transitional protection payments are made.

20. Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the number of housing benefit claimants who are likely still to be losers after transitional protection payments are made.

22. Mr. Callaghan

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the number of housing benefit claimants who are likely still to be losers after transitional protection payments are made.

Mr. Portillo

We estimate that in cash terms, about one half of all housing benefit recipients either gained or saw no change in their entitlement to that benefit after April. Many of those who have lost will now be getting more in other benefits. The transitional payments scheme will help the position of many who have lost significant amounts.

23. Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he now proposes to make any further changes in the housing benefit scheme.

Mr. Scott

I have nothing to add to the announcements made during the debate on 27 April and the subsequent written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack) on 5 May at columns 550–51.

25. Mr. Livingstone

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information is available on the impact of the new housing benefit rules on students living away from home.

Mr. Portillo

We published estimates of the impact of the social security reforms in October 1987. There is no analysis of the impact on students specifically.

38. Mr. Skinner

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of representations he has received since the beginning of April regarding the effects of the changes in housing benefit; and if he will make a statement.

42. Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many right hon. and hon. Members have made representations to him on the effect on their constituents of recent housing benefit changes; what stage has now been reached in operation of the special cases unit for dealing with problems arising from the changes; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received concerning the new system of assessing housing benefit; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo

The Department has received a considerable number of letters and inquiries about the changes announced on 27 April and these are being handled in the normal way. Preparations of the transitional payments unit are at an advanced stage and on schedule for becoming fully operational in July.

61. Mr. Stern

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to announce detailed procedures for claims for transitional payments for the new central unit in respect of housing benefit claims.

Mr. Portillo

A new leaflet "RR4 Housing Benefit—New Rules" was printed on 27 May and copies have been placed in the Library. The leaflet explains who can qualify, how assessments will be calculated, and contains an application form for despatch by Freepost to the transitional payments units. The leaflets will be available frm a wide number of agencies including the transitional payment unit, DHSS local offices, local authorities and post offices.