§ Mr. RooneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the implications for local authority rents of the figures announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer today for expenditure on housing revenue account subsidy included in the total of annually managed expenditure. [50864]
§ Ms ArmstrongThe provision for Housing Revenue Account Subsidy allows for a real increase in local authority rents of 1 per cent. next year and of 2 per cent. in each of the following two years. The consequent increase in rental income net of increased rent rebates will be available for increased revenue expenditure on maintaining the stock. The detailed proposals for the determination of HRA subsidy for 1999–2000 and subsequent years will be subject to consultation in the usual way. Rent policy for the longer term remains under consideration within the Welfare Reform process.