§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his statement in the House on 27 April, what estimate he has made of the administrative costs to local authorities of implementing the further proposed changes in housing benefit regulations; and if he will take steps to compensate local authorities for these additional costs.
§ Mr. PortilloWe intend to adjust the provision for local authorities' housing benefit administration costs to reflect the additional work arising from the changes announced on 27 April. We shall be discussing the work involved and the likely costs with the local authority associations.