§ Mr. DenhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases of error in the calculation of income support for mortgage interest payments were identified in the 1994 review of such cases; and what was the average and total amount of error involved. [10815]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe administration of income support is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Estimated cost/saving and numbers gaining from reducing the family credit taper (1997–98) Taper Family credit Housing benefit Council tax benefit Income support/jobseeker's allowance (income-based) Net cost Number of gainers 60 per cent. +£290 million -£20 million -£5 million -£5 million + 260 million 585,000 50 per cent. +£730 million -£40 million -£10 million -£5 million + 675 million 770,000 1. Estimates are based on the 1994–95 family resources survey, uprated to 1997–98 prices and benefit levels.
2. Estimates of costs are rounded to the nearest £5 million.
3. Estimates of gainers are rounded to the nearest 5,000.