§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how much public expenditure has been reduced as a result of policy changes to housing benefit each year since 1982, both at current prices and at 1990–91 prices; and what has been the cumulative total of savings.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardInformation is not available in the detail requested because, over time, the financial effects of successive policy changes overlap with other changes such as uprating of benefit levels, movements in housing costs, changes in unemployment, and movements in income levels. In cash terms, housing benefit expenditure was £1.6 billion in 1982–83, including help with rates, and the forecast for the current year is £7 billion, including community charge benefit. This represents a substantial real terms increase since 1982–83.