HC Deb 20 May 1997 vol 294 cc42-3W
Mr. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement about the rules affecting single people and housing benefit. [37]

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to implement proposals to set housing benefit for single people under 60 years by reference to rent levels for shared accommodation; and if she will make a statement. [607]

Mr. Bradley

We are currently reviewing the rules affecting single people and housing benefit. We will make an announcement in due course.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of the shortfall between the total amount of housing benefit paid and the net amount paid by tenants for housing for each year since 1992. [172]

Mr. Bradley

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

Estimated housing benefit expenditure (Great Britain)
£ millions
Contractual rent of tenants on housing benefit Housing benefit paid Shortfall
1992–93 9,154 7,901 1,253
1993–94 10,483 9,213 1,270
1994–95 11,527 10,120 1,407
1995–96 12,667 10,885 1,782

Sources:

1. Benefit Housing Management Information System.

2. Social security departmental report-Government expenditure plans March 1997.

3. Rent officer statistics.

Notes:

1. Contractual rent may include charges which are not eligible for housing benefit. These include water, sewage and ineligible service charges such as laundry, cleaning, sports facilities etc.

2. The figures for 1996–97 are not yet available.