HC Deb 25 October 1993 vol 230 c509W
Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the number of beneficiaries, and the total amounts paid, for housing benefit among(a) income support claimants, (b) family credit claimants and (c) others.

Mr. Burt

Information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.

Table 1
Housing benefit recipients Number of cases (thousands)
With Income Support 2,593
With Family Credit Others 197
Others 1,645
Total 4,334
Notes:
1. 1Due to the 26 week entitlement of family credit, approximately 12,000 customers are in receipt of both family credit and income support.
2. Figures show housing benefit recipients in Great Britain in May 1992.
Source: Housing benefit management information system, annual 1 per cent. sample.

Housing Benefit Expenditure
£ million
Estimated outturn 1992–93 7,348

Notes:

It is not possible to apportion expenditure between income support, family credit and other recipients.

Source: Departmental report.

Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost to the Exchequer of reducing the taper for withdrawal of housing benefit from 65p in the pound to 50p in the pound.

1988–89 Per cent. 1989–90 Per cent. 1990–91 Per cent. 1991–92 Per cent. 1992–93 Per cent.
Income Support 1.6 1.5 1.6 2.0 2.4
Invalidity Benefit 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
Attendance Allowance 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2
Disability Living Allowance 0.3

Notes:

1. The information requested on item c is not a matter that is dealt with by this department.

2. Disability living allowance commenced in April 1992.