§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assistance is being given to local authorities to enable them to cope with the influx of cases being referred to them for housing benefit from April; if his Department intends to carry out a review of delays due to the change over; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe only category of claimant who became entitled to housing benefit for the first time from April were people in board and lodging accommodation whose housing costs were formerly met from income198W support. This change was part of the April 1988 reforms of social security but implementation was postponed at the request of the local authority associations. The administrative arrangements for the transfer were discussed with the local authority associations and individual timetables for implementation were agreed locally between the Department's local office and local authorities. The Government made £1 million available to local authorities for their costs in preparing for this change. In addition, the overall level of provision for local authorities' housing benefit administration costs in 1989–90 has been increased by more than £7 million because of the expected increase in work load. There is thus no reason for the changeover to result in delays. Delay in general is kept under review as part of the Department's monitoring of the social security reforms.