§ Mr. ColemanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what savings have been made so far by the Government as a consequence of the changes to council tax benefit regulations introduced on 1 April 1998; [75615]
(2) what estimate his Department has made of the savings in financial year 1999–2000 resulting from the changes to council tax benefit regulations introduced on 1 April 1998; [75696]
(3) when he will make a statement on the planned review of the changes to council tax benefit regulations introduced on 1 April 1998. [75695]
§ Angela EagleThe information on savings made so far as a result of the April 1998 changes to the Council Tax Benefit regulations is not currently available. Savings for the financial year 1999–2000 are estimated to be £4 million (to the nearest million).
We are committed to monitoring the effects of the changes to the Council Tax Benefit Regulations introduced on 1 April 1998, in partnership with local authorities. Officials have recently conducted a competitive tender for research to monitor the change. The results will be published in due course.