HC Deb 14 April 1993 vol 222 cc666-8W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average level of housing benefit per recipient, in English and Welsh local authorities payable to(a) local authority tenants, (b) local housing association tenants and (c) private sector tenants for 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1992–93.

Miss Widdecombe

The available information is in the table.

England Wales
Local authority tenants Private tenants1 Local authority tenants Private tenants1
Year £ £ £ £
21990 20.18 25.86 20.37 22.24
21991 23.35 32.96 22.57 29.44
31992 27.72 39.02 27.03 34.31
1 Separate information on the average amount of housing benefit received by housing association tenants is not collected separately. It is therefore included with that of private tenants.
2 The data source is the housing benefit and community charge

benefits annual 1 per cent. sample for May.

3 The data source is the quarterly caseload count for May 1992.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the administrative cost of housing benefit for each English local authority for 1991–92 and 1992–93.

Miss Widdecombe

A copy of a table showing local authorities' estimates of their housing benefit administration costs for 1991–92 and 1992–93 will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received concerning the method of payment of housing benefit to local authorities and their administrative costs.

Miss Widdecombe

Both the Department of the Environment and this Department receive representations about housing benefit payments and Government subsidy on these payments, which are most frequently made by tenants, local authorities and local authority associations.