§ Mr. Michael J. MartinTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the extent to which the recent changes in rent rebates and rates rebates are causing hardship to elderly tenants in Scotland.
§ Mr. Michael PortilloI have been asked to reply.
The new housing benefit system ensures that a person's resources after paying housing costs including 80 per cent. of rates will not be below their level of income support entitlement.