§ Dr. IddonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if weekly benefit savings will be made available to local authorities whose tenants abandon properties. [53269]
§ Mr. DenhamIt would not be appropriate to give local authorities additional subsidy for normal housing benefit administration activities.
§ Dr. IddonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will allow local authorities to secure abandoned properties to prevent vandalism before a fraud team investigates and for the weekly benefit saving to be protected until the investigation is concluded. [53270]
§ Mr. DenhamIn these circumstances additional subsidy related to weekly benefit savings could be paid if, as a result of a fraud investigation, fraud was discovered and a suspended Housing Benefit claim was stopped.