§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the full-year effect on social security expenditure of the proposal to cover only 50 per cent. of rent above the average for similar properties in an area for new claimants and those moving home after October 1995.
§ Mr. Roger EvansMuch will depend on the definition of the average and other factors, including the behaviourial effects of the proposals. However, the estimated savings to housing benefit from this proposal from October 1995 to October 1996 are around £40 million. The projected cost of housing benefit expenditure over this period will be published in the social security departmental report in the normal way.