§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest proportion of total expenditure on rent rebates, in percentage and cash terms, paid to tenants with weekly rents of (i) £20 and under, (ii) up to £30, (iii) up to £40, (iv) up to £50, (v) up to £60, (vi) up to £70 and (vii) £70 and over.
§ Mr. HagueThe latest available information is in the table.
Rent rebate ranges of eligible rent (£ per week) May 19921 Proportion of housing benefit expenditure Per cent. 250p–£20 4 £20.01–£30 41 £30.01–£40 34 £40.01–£50 11 £50.01–£60 5 £60.01–£70 2 Above £70 3 Data source: The housing benefit management information system annual 1 per cent sample of May 1992.
Notes:
- 1. Details of rent paid are not available, therefore, the information relates to the amount of rent eligible for housing benefit.
- 2. Housing benefit is not payable below 50 pence per week.
- 3. The percentages cannot be correctly applied to expenditure figures to produce cash amounts.
Annual average real growth rates in benefit expenditure1 1978–79 to 1992–93 1978–79 to 1992–93 1978–79 to 1983–84 1983–84 to 1986–87 1986–87 to 1989–90 1989–90 to 1992–93 Total benefit expenditure 3.5 4.8 3.5 -2.3 7.6 Contributory 1.6 2.2 2.3 -1.9 3.5 Non-contributory 6.4 9.3 5.2 -3.0 12.8 1 Based on table 2 in "The Growth of Social Security" excluding rate rebates and community charge benefit, and including the cost of child tax allowances.