HC Deb 30 November 1994 vol 250 cc752-3W
Mr. Hall

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current proportion of local authority and housing association tenants who receive housing benefit.

Mr. Roger Evans

The proportions of local authority and housing association tenants who were receiving housing benefit at the end of 1993 were 65 per cent. and 53 per cent. respectively.

Data Sources: The housing benefit management information systems quarterly caseload count at the end of November 1993. Housing and construction statistics December 1993, the latest date for which information is available.

Mr. Coe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he intends to make changes to ensure that rent officers have sole jurisdiction for determining market rents for housing benefit purposes in the de-regulated private rented sector; and what implications this will have for rent assessment committees.

Mr. Roger Evans

We intend, as soon as practicable, to amend regulations so that decisions by rent assessment committees will no longer bind local authorities when dealing with housing benefit claims. The only determinations to which local authorities will have to have regard for housing benefit purposes—for tenants in the de-regulated private rented sector—will be those made by the rent officer service. The proposed change would not remove existing rights to seek a determination from rent assessment committees on contractual rent levels. We will consult with the local authority associations in the normal way.

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