HC Deb 08 February 1999 vol 325 c64W
25. Ms Moran

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he intends to take to reform the administration of housing benefit. [68031]

Angela Eagle

We are taking forward a wide-ranging review of Housing Benefit with the aim of simplifying and improving both the benefit itself and the way in which it is delivered. In the meantime, we have in place several measures to drive forward better delivery of Housing Benefit including the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate's programme of visits to local authorities, improved communications between the Benefits Agency and local authorities through the use of IT, and extra funding and support for local authorities to operate the verification framework.

33. Mr. Jack

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to review the operation of housing benefit. [68041]

Angela Eagle

We are taking forward a wide-ranging review of housing benefit in consultation with local authorities and other interested parties. The aim of the review is to simplify and improve both the benefit itself and the way in which it is delivered.