HC Deb 21 July 1994 vol 247 cc623-5W
Mr. Bates

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost to each local authority of its disregard scheme in relation to housing benefit for war disablement and war widow's pensions in the latest year for which figures are available(a) in total and (b) per head of population in that area.

Mr. Hague

I will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Soley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total spent in housing benefit for each year since 1989.

Mr. Hague

The information is in the table:

Housing benefit expenditure
£ million
Year Number
1988–89 3,773
1989–90 4,282
1990–91 4,942
1991–92 5,997
1992–93 7,604
11993–94 8,821
1 Estimate.

Source: Social Security Departmental Report—March 1994.

Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total housing benefit paid in respect of private rented properties in the financial years 1992–93 and 1993–94; and what is the predicted figure for 1994–95.

Mr. Hague

The information is in the table:

Year 1992–93 outturn 1993–94 estimated outturn 1994–95 plans
£ million £ million £ million
Total housing benefit paid in respect of private rented properties 3,257 3,817 4,320

Source: Social Security Departmental Report—March 1994.

Mr. McLeish

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the number of people claiming housing benefit in Scotland in the first quarter of each year since 1990.

Mr. Hague

The information is as follows:

Thousands
Date Housing benefit recipients
February 1990 563
February 1991 540
February 1992 543
February 1993 550
February 1994 553

Data source:

The housing benefit management information system quarterly caseload count of February in each year.

Notes:

1. The figures are rounded to the nearest thousand and are for benefit units. A benefit unit may be a single person or a couple.

2. Estimates are included for non-responding authorities.

Mr. Soley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the annual estimated cost of total housing benefit expenditure in 1994–95 if the average rent paid by recipients was £72 per week.

Mr. Hague

The estimated outturn for 1994–95 on current rent levels is £10 billion. It is estimated that an average rent of £72 would increase expenditure by a further £10 billion. The latest statistics show that the average local authority rent is £34 and the average private sector rent is £50.1

1 Source: Local authority quarterly statistical returns February 1994.