§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will publish in theOfficial Report his estimate of the increase in public expenditure in 1988–89 and his forecast for 1989–90 as a result of the increases in housing benefit required to compensate for increases in, respectively, rents and rates.
§ Mr. ScottIncreases in rents above the level of inflation increased housing benefit expenditure by an estimated £140 million in 1988–89 and by a further £210 million in 1989–90.
Rate rebates are not treated as public expenditure but real increases in rates are estimated to have increased spending in these years by about £30 million and £35 million respectively in England and Wales.
It has been agreed that the remainder of the work should be transferred to Northern Ireland on a phased basis, starting with Scotland in October 1989. It is planned to be completed by March 1991.
The transfer will have no affect on the counter network.