§ Ms. PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) widows and (b) recipients of income support, who are liable to pay an increase in their council rents from 1 April will not receive their uprated benefit until 9 and 15 April respectively.
§ Miss WiddecombePeople in receipt of housing benefit have their entitlement recalculated to take account of any rent increase from the date on which the increase takes effect. Those in receipt of income support are entitled to maximum housing benefit which can meet up to 100 per cent. of their eligible rent.
The most recent information available shows that, in May 1989, there were 48,000 women in receipt of state widows' benefits and pensions, but not income support, who were also in receipt of housing benefit and living in local authority accommodation.
In February 1990 there were 1,760,000 people in receipt of income support who were also living in local authority accommodation.
§ Ms. PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much money is saved by the Government as a result of the arrangements for payment in arrears of widow's benefit and income support to those whose council rents were raised on 1 April.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.