§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated regarding the relationship between the level of capital investment in social housing and the level of the housing benefit budget. [5294]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Department has not commissioned any external studies to examine the relationship between levels of capital investment in social housing and the level of housing benefit.
However, it has constructed computer models for analysing the impact on public expenditure of different levels of local authority rents and social housing grant rates. These take account of impacts on housing benefit.
These models and related analysis will be reviewed and updated as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review announced by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 11 June, Official Report, column 1143.