§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the annual cost of reducing the housing benefit taper to 20 per cent. for all claimants.
§ Mr. BurtWe estimate that the cost of reducing the housing benefit taper to 20 per cent. for all claimants would be approximately £2 billion. Estimate based on data obtained from the 1987, 1988 and 1989 family expenditure surveys modelled at 1992–93 prices and benefit levels.
This does not include any estimate of the behaviourial effects of a 20 per cent. taper.
§ Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what consideration has been given to paying housing benefit in respect of interest on building society top—up loans for house improvements;
(2) what is his estimate of the annual cost of allowing claims for housing benefit in respect of interest on building society top-up loans for house improvements.
§ Mr. BurtHousing benefit is payable only to meet a commercial rent liability. In income support, assistance can be given with the interest on loans that are taken out for improvements to the home's fitness for occupation providing they are reasonable in the family's circumstances. This help is available to tenants as well as owner occupiers, provided they qualify for income support.
The total amount included in income support for help with housing costs in 1991—(the latest year for which figures are available—was £949 million. No information is available separately on top-up loans for house improvements.
§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many non-dependant deductions for housing benefit have been made since April 1992; and of these what proportion have been at(a) £4, (b) £8, (c) £12, and (d) £18.
§ Mr. BurtThe information requested is not yet available. Information on non-dependants since April 1992 was first collected in May 1992 and is unlikely to be available until later in 1993.
§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost of paying housing benefit to people aged under 25 years at the full rate currently paid to people aged 25 years and over; and what proportion this figure is of total housing benefit expenditure.
§ Mr. BurtThe estimated cost of paying housing benefit to people aged 18–24 at the full rate currently paid to people aged 25 years and over would be approximately £360 million1.
This represents approximately 5 per cent. of the planned 1992–93 housing benefit expenditure of £7.05 billion announced by the Department in February 1992.
Note:
1 This estimate is based on data drawn from the 1987, 1988 and 1989 family expenditure surveys and the 1991 annual statistical inquiry modelled at 1992–93 prices and benefit levels.