HC Deb 11 December 1996 vol 287 cc289-90W
Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the amount which will be saved as a result of the changes to housing benefit introduced in the Budget. [8573]

Mr. Roger Evans

It is estimated that the proposed changes would save £8 million in 1997–98, £60 million in 1998–99 and £92 million in 1999–2000.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what was the total housing benefit budget in each of the previous five years; [8567]

(2) how much has been paid out in housing benefit for each of the previous five years. [8566]

Mr. Evans

The information is set out in the table.

Housing benefit is a benefit based on legal entitlement and is not subject to a budget or cash limit.

Year £ millions
1990–91 5,147
1991–92 6,482
1992–93 7,901
1993–94 9,218
1994–95 10,181

Source:

Table 3, departmental report 1996.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if new claims for housing benefit for single people will be subject to the new rules introduced in the Budget when that person has previously claimed housing benefit within the last year. [3569]

Mr. Evans

A single person who had his claim assessed under the local reference rent rules will be affected by the new rules if he renews his claim after the new rules come into force. Most people who have claimed in the last year who are exempt from the local reference rent rules will also be exempt from the new rules.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of people who will(a) be affected and (b) have their benefit reduced by the changes to housing benefit introduced in the Budget. [8574]

Mr. Evans

The number of people who are likely to be affected as a result of restricting housing benefit to the local reference rent is estimated as 370,000. Of these, 40,000 are likely to have reduced benefit in the first year with 133,000 and 214,000 having reduced benefit in subsequent years.

The number of people who are likely to be affected as a result of restricting housing benefit for most single people under 60 years of age is estimated as 365,000. Of these, 72,000 are likely to have reduced benefit in the first year with 210,000 and 265,000 having reduced benefit, in subsequent years.

However, the proposals will overlap and the numbers likely to have a reduction in their benefit over the next three years are 92,000, 275,000 and 370,000.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what safeguards exist in the changes to housing benefit in the budget to prevent unemployed people who are widowed or divorced and left with the tenancy of the house they previously shared with a partner from losing their homes. [8572]

Mr. Evans

There are special rules within the housing benefit regulations which give protection to those who lose their partner through death. There is also protection for those who lose their jobs. Generally, widows will be able to retain the level of benefit which was being paid before the late husband's death, for a period of 12 months. These special rules will continue to apply when the proposed changes are implemented even though claimants, over the age of 59, would not be affected by the single room rent proposals. There is no separate protection for divorced people. However, local authorities will continue to have discretion to pay up to the full rent to prevent exceptional hardship.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are currently claiming housing benefit in the United Kingdom. [8568]

Mr. Evans

At the end of May 1996, there were 4,779,000 housing benefit recipients in Great Britain.

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for the Northern Ireland figure. Note: A recipient may he a single person or a couple.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many single person households have been in receipt of housing benefit in each of the last five years. [8570]

Mr. Evans

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

The information relates to housing benefit recipients in all tenure types, in Great Britain, who are single with no dependants in the household.

Year Housing benefit recipients (000s)
May 1991 2,346
May 1992 2,411
May 1993 2,562
May 1994 2,645
May 1995 2,702

Source:

Housing benefit management information system, annual 1 per cent. sample enquiries with and without income support, taken at the end of May in each year quoted.