§ Mr. WicksTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the annual cost of reducing the council tax benefit taper for those in paid work to (i) 15 per cent. and (ii) 10 per cent.; and how many people would be entitled to benefit in each of these cases. [7179]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe information is set out in the table.
Estimated cost of reducing the council tax benefit taper for those in work Taper Net cost £ million Council tax benefit caseload 20 per cent. — 5,620,000 15 per cent. 40 5,675,000 10 per cent. 120 5,870,000 Estimates based on the Family Expenditure Surveys of 1991, 1992 and 1993, uprated to 1996–97 prices and benefit levels.
Estimates of costs are rounded to the nearest £5 million.
Estimates of caseloads are rounded to the nearest 5.000.
Figures may not sum exactly due to rounding.