HC Deb 05 April 1990 vol 170 c787W
Mr. Maxton

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his best estimate of the total amount of central Government support required to cover community charge rebates in Scotland in 1989–90 and 1990–91; and if he will express this as a percentage of total expected income from the community charge in Scotland.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The information requested is in the table:

Scotland
1989–90 1990–91
Central Government Grant for Community Charge rebates/Benefit. (£ million) 214 225
Rebates as a percentage of total expected Community Charge income (per cent.) 21 20

Note: The figures for 1990–91 reflect the increase in the upper capital limit announced in the Budget statement.

Mr. Riddick

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, further to the answer given to the hon. Member for Colne Valley of 12 March,Official Report, column 66, concerning the cost of abolishing savings thresholds above which no community charge rebate is payable, what would be the estimated cost to the Exchequer of abolishing the capital limit (a) altogether and (b) for pensioners only, presuming that those people were receiving income amounting to 10 per cent. per annum from their savings.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The cost of abolishing both the upper and lower capital thresholds and the tariff income, and assuming instead an income from capital of 10 per cent. per annum, would be(a) £20 million for all claimants and (b) £15 million for pensioners only. A total of 590,000 benefit units would gain by these changes (by becoming entitled or by increasing their benefit). A total of 2,330,000 benefit units would lose (by losing all or part of their benefit).

Mr. Cummings

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of people within the district of Easington who will qualify for community charge rebate following the rise in the capital disregard to £16,000.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The information requested is not available. Data are not available to provide reliable estimates on such a detailed regional basis.

Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the people in Scotland estimated by the Government to be eligible for poll tax rebate are now in receipt of a rebate.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

For 1989–90 the latest estimate of the number of community charge rebates in payment in Scotland is 930,000. Rebates to couples are counted as one rebate.