HC Deb 04 February 1992 vol 203 cc157-8W
Mr. William Powell

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many housing benefit applications were determined by each local authority in Northamptonshire in each year since 1980–81.

Miss Widdecombe

The available information is as follows:

Number of Housing Benefit Claims Received
1988–89 1989–90 1990–91
Corby 4,714 10,652 13,293
Daventry 2,607 3,639 8,246
East Northampton 7,882 11,138 7,309
Kettering 10,131 9,722 8,509
Northampton 5,558 n.a. 10,208
South Northants n.a. n.a. 2,793
Wellingborough n.a. n.a. 10,725

Notes:

  1. (i) n.a.= information not available.
  2. (ii) Data is not available for years prior to 1988–89.
  3. (iii) Unsuccessful applications are included in these figures.
  4. (iv) Information on the determination of applications is not collected.
  5. (v) Source: Housing Benefit Management Information System.

Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many housing benefit review boards heard cases in each of the years 1989, 1990, and 1991, respectively; how many were decided in the claimants' favour and how many claimants were represented.

Miss Widdecombe

Information for calender years is not available, however, the housing benefit and community charge benefit management information system suggests that, in 1989–90, approximately 3,000 requests for a further review by a review board were reported, of which, about 700 resulted in a revised determination.

In 1990–91, approximately 3,000 such requests were reported, of which, about 500 resulted in a revised determination.

Data as to the number of review boards decided in the claimants' favour and claimant representation are not available.