§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of revising the524W figure included for water costs in the calculations of benefit entitlement to reflect (a) variations of regional costs, (b) the rateable value of the property concerned and (c) the fact of a property being on a metered charge; [16805]
(2) what figure for water costs is included in the calculations of benefit entitlement (a) in 1995 and (b) in each of the preceding five years. [16804]
§ Mr. Roger EvansIncome support is a national benefit which provides a level of income for normal daily expenditure. It does not specify particular amounts for particular items of household expenditure many of which, like water, vary regionally and over time. The cost of restructuring the benefit in the way envisaged would be considerable.
§ Mrs. JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average deduction from income support,(a) with and (b) without an element for arrears, paid to water companies where people have opted to have their water costs deducted at source. [16803]
§ Mr. EvansThe information available is set out in the table.
Direct payment deductions from income support for water/sewerage charges £ Average weekly deduction excluding arrears 3.34 Average weekly deduction including arrears 5.86 Source:
Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry February 1995.
Note:
1. In certain circumstances, direct payment deductions for water/sewerage charges may be made without the consent of the Income Support recipient. Figures for people who have specifically opted tor direct payments are not available.