§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total amount in cash terms and in real terms of housing benefit paid to people(a) aged 16 and 17 years, (b) aged 18 to 24 years and (c) aged 25 years and over for each year from 1980–81 to 1992–93.
§ Mr. BurtHousing benefit expenditure by age has been available only since 1990. Expenditure figures for 16 and 17-year-olds are not reliable. The available information is in the table.
£ million Age under 25 Age 25 and over Annualised 1990–91 based on 31 May 1990 data1 cash terms 492 3,928 real terms 544 4,337 Annualised 1991–92 based on 31 May 1991 data1 cash terms 628 4,675 real terms 650 4,838 11992–93 prices Note:
Source: Figures derived from the housing benefit management information system annual 1 per cent. sample of housing benefit cases taken at a point in time (31 May) each year. They are not annual expenditure figures as published in the departmental report of "The Growth of Social Security".
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the level of housing benefit paid to people(a) aged 16 and 17 years, (b) aged 18 to 24 years and (c) aged 25 years and over as a percentage of gross domestic product for each year from 1980–81 to 1992–93.
§ Mr. BurtThe available information is in the table.
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Median equivalised income in April 1993 prices for the bottom 20 per cent, by household family type 1979 1981 1987 1988–89 1990–91 Before housing costs Pensioner couple 88 93 100 100 98 Single pensioner 88 94 97 93 95 Couple with children 103 92 99 102 97 Couple without children 128 129 120 131 137 Single with children 86 90 95 95 95 Single without children 111 108 109 109 103 After housing costs Pensioner couple 75 79 86 86 86 Single pensioner 81 84 86 84 88 Couple with children 86 75 78 80 74 Couple without children 110 109 97 108 113 Single with children 71 75 77 72 74 Single without children 96 89 84 81 78
Housing Benefit expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product Percentage 1980–81 0.7 1981–82 1.0 1982–83 1.1 1983–84 1.2 1984–85 1.3 1985–86 1.3 1986–87 1.3 1987–88 1.2 1988–89 1.1 1989–90 1.1 1990–91 0.9 1991–92 1.0 1992–93 1.2 The GDP information cannot be provided for particular age bands.
Note: The source housing benefit expenditure figures are taken from table 9a of "The Growth of Social Security". For years prior to 1988 these include expenditure related to housing costs paid as part of supplementary benefit. The figure for 1989–90 includes community charge rebate.