HC Deb 25 June 1991 vol 193 cc430-1W
Mrs. Roe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much the capital disregard for housing benefit would be if it had been uprated in real terms since 1988.

Miss Widdecombe

Based on a rise in the retail prices index of 25.8 per cent. between April 1988 and April 1991, the level at or below which capital is disregarded would now be £3,774.

Mrs. Roe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost of restoring to its real term 1988 value the £3,000 capital disregard for housing benefit.

Miss Widdecombe

The latest available estimates suggest that the cost in 1991–92 would be around £20 million.Source: Modelled using data drawn from the 1986, 1987 and 1988 Family Expenditure Surveys.

Mrs. Roe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost of changing the rules on tariff income on capital disregards for housing benefit to assume £1 of income from every £500 above the lower limit; and if he has any plans to do so.

Miss Widdecombe

The latest available estimates suggest that the cost in 1991–92 would be around £60 million. We have no plans to change the rules in housing benefit or any of the other income-related benefits.Source: Modelled using data drawn from the 1986, 1987 and 1988 Family Expenditure Surveys.