HC Deb 26 November 1992 vol 214 cc805-7W
Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is(a) the total current cost and (b) the average cost per applicant within each local authority in Wales for administering (i) housing benefit and (ii) community charge benefit; and what are the estimated total costs per

Average cost (£/case)
Housing benefit subsidy Community charge benefit subsidy Housing benefit cases Community charge benefit cases
Authority £ £
Aberconwy 98,834 76,688 32.22 14.58
Alyn and Deeside 93,632 81,072 25.47 14.27
Arfon 129,108 111,144 28.35 14.70
Blaenau Gwent 204,806 138,548 25.56 14.76
Brecknock 50,518 37,168 27.03 14.16
Cardiff 762,686 479,774 30.77 14.06
Carmarthen 79,320 58,874 28.73 13.87
Ceredigion 103,146 100,784 32.65 20.27
Colwyn 125,806 98,642 33.15 14.24
Cynon Valley 143,546 111,506 27.84 14.18
Delyn 98,290 87,708 24.62 14.20
Dinefwr 61,992 50,486 29.16 14.69
Dwyfor 49,600 40,748 33.47 14.79
Glyndwr 62,306 47,364 27.90 14.54
Islwyn 122,362 94,960 25.83 14.48
Llanelli 165,236 142,534 26.84 14.08
Lliw Valley 100,002 92,072 24.92 15.61
Meirionnydd 49,614 46,762 28.35 14.36
Merthyr Tydfil 170,222 112,572 26.37 13.70
Monmouth 93,912 74,722 27.41 14.06
Montgomeryshire 69,448 51,854 30.63 13.98
Neath 128,476 112,238 26.27 14.49
Newport 340,288 283,998 27.40 14.67
Ogwr 234,384 262,198 26.65 14.48
Port Talbot 111,084 87,342 24.95 13.79
Preseli 128,636 97,296 29.22 14.25
Radnor 36,994 22,558 33.54 13.91
Rhondda 153,892 175,436 27.14 18.33
Rhuddlan 139,754 94,254 36.04 13.35
Rhymney Valley 240,412 212,230 24.96 12.66
Rural Wales 12,606 0 25.78 0
South Pembrokeshire 80,622 59,992 28.72 13.95
Swansea 449,962 408,930 27.63 16.78
Taff-Ely 155,312 143,766 25.49 14.34
Torfaen 203,060 144,926 23.16 13.65
Vale of Glamorgan 200,788 144,940 31.45 13.95
Wrexham Maelor 277,442 231,806 25.34 15.06
Ynys Mon 134,508 119,108 26.12 13.61
Total 5,812,606 4,737,000 27.72 14.59

Note: Expenditure data are the 1992–93 administration subsidy figures for Wales, and include both the direct grant paid to authorities by the Department of Social Security and the amounts reflected in the Revenue Support Grant arrangements. The caseloads used in the calculation of the average amounts, are the averages of the four quarters (May 1991 to February 1992) figures as reported by local authorities. Estimates, based on average movements in national caseloads, have been included where authorities have not provided the necessary information.

local authority for administering such benefits following the introduction of competitive tendering into housing benefit administration.

Mr. Burt

I have been asked to reply.

The table shows the total costs to central Government of subsidising the administration of the housing benefit and community charge benefit schemes for each local authority in Wales and the average administrative cost per benefit applicant. This Department pays 50 per cent. of authorities' total estimated costs by way of a direct grant. The balance of expenditure not subsidised by specific grant is reflected in the revenue support grant arrangements which are the responsibility of the Welsh Office. The exception to this is the Development Board of Rural Wales which receives 100 per cent. direct subsidy from this Department.

We are not aware that any local authority in Wales has contracted out activities connected with the administration of housing benefit.