§ Mr. Chris DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list the total number of individuals claiming housing benefit in each of the past five years; [40688]
(2) if he will list the total sums of money paid in housing benefit in each of the past five years. [40686]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe information is set out in the table. 379W
Housing benefit recipients and expenditure for Great Britain Year Recipients Thousands Financial year Expenditure £ million 1991 4,030 1991–92 5,100 1992 4,326 1992–93 6,375 1993 4,533 1993–94 7,793 1994 4,650 1994–95 9,193 1995 4,734 1995–96 10,253 Notes:
1. Figures for number of recipients is taken from count made on last working day of May for each of the given years. Figures refer to benefit units which may be a single person or a couple.
2. Expenditure figures for 1995–96 are the estimated outturn. Figures for other years are outturn.
3. Sources of data: Housing Benefit Management Information System and the 1995 departmental report.