§ Ms. ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will provide his best available estimate of the percentage of housing benefit likely to be lost by YTS trainees living away from home in their second year of training;
(2) whether he will consider disregarding the increase in allowance for YTS trainees in the second year of training for housing benefit purposes.
§ Mr. Peter LloydAs housing benefit is an incomerelated benefit, the normal rule is that all income available to the claimant should be taken into account in assessing628W entitlement. YTS allowances are subject to these rules. We cannot estimate the percentage reductions in housing benefit arising from increases in the allowances because we have no information on the particular rent and rates paid by YTS trainees living away from home.
§ Mr. FavellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of council tenants have received housing benefit in(a) Glasgow, (b) Manchester, (c) Stockport, (d) Bristol and (e) Barnet, for the years 1985, 1986, and 1987; and what the cost to the Exchequer has been in each case.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI shall write to my hon. Friend.