§ Mr. ColmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the 10(a) best and (b) worst performing local authorities in England in terms of (i) average time taken to process a claim for housing benefit and (ii) the number of housing benefit awards reviewed and subsequently found to be incorrect. [108984]
§ Angela EagleThe information is not available.
We aim to transform the delivery of Housing Benefit so that local authorities provide their communities with a faster, more accurate service which is more secure against fraud and error, and which provides value for money and takes account of the views and needs of clients. Best value performance indicators will target these key areas from this April. Local authorities will be required to set and meet challenging targets against the indicators and demonstrate that they are achieving continuous improvements in the standards of service they provide.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of housing benefit claimants who are(a) tenants of registered social landlords and (b) tenants of private landlords are affected by the four weeks in arrears rule; and what is the average weekly level of housing benefit paid to tenants in both of those groups. [109366]
§ Angela EagleThe information is in the table.
Housing Benefit recipients, tenants of registered social landlords and private landlords, Great Britain—May 1998 Tenants of registered social landlords Tenants of private landlords All recipients 840,000 971,000 Paid four weeks in arrears 242,000 352,000 Proportion paid four weeks in arrears—percentage 29 36 Average weekly amount of Housing Benefit £54.50 £61.10 Notes:
1. Figures are the latest available.
2. The number of recipients are rounded to the nearest thousand, proportions to the nearest whole per cent. and average amounts of benefit to the nearest ten pence.
3. Recipients refer to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.
Source:
Housing Benefit Management Information System, annual 1 per cent. sample inquiries taken on the second Thursday in May 1998.
§ Mr. DobbinTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made in the pilot local authorities taking part in the review of housing benefit procedures; and if he will make a statement. [109034]
435W
§ Angela EagleLocal authorities are involved in a number of initiatives aimed at improving the administration and delivery of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, including several pilots. Through initiatives such as the pilot ONE service, local and central government are working together to streamline the operation of the benefit system and help clients move from welfare into work.
A range of benefits for clients of working age, including Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, are assessed via a single point of contact as part of the ONE service. This offers an opportunity to move away from the duplication and inefficiency of the present system, with customers providing information only once. Clients take part in a work-focused interview where they receive in-depth, individual help from a personal adviser. This puts work, and helping people overcome barriers to work, at the heart of the benefit system.
Twelve pilots are testing three variants of the ONE service over three years. The first four basic model pilots were launched on 28 June 1999. A further eight pilots, four assessing the use of call centre technology and four led by private and voluntary sector organisations, commenced on 29 November 1999.
Fifty-six local authorities are working in partnership with the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service to trial this new way of working. Local authority involvement in ONE is important not only because of the authorities' responsibilities for delivery Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, but also because of their expertise in providing a wide range of local services and information. Local authorities have also provided valuable input to the design and development of the ONE service.
While it is too early to measure the degree of success we have had in helping people move into sustainable employment, the improved level of customer service and the focus on individual needs have been well received by our clients.
Benefit Rate since 1996 Current rate April 1999 Value at April 2000 if increased in line with prices since 19961 IS/JSA Earnings Disregard2: Per person 5 5 5.45 Couple 10 10 10.85 Lone parent 15 15 16.35 HB/CTB Earnings Disregard2: Single person 5 5 5.45 Couple 10 10 10.85 Lone parent 15 15 16.35 Lone parent 25 25 27.25 Carer 15 15 16.35 HB/CTB/FC/DWA 2 Child care disregard 60 70 65.40 Income Support Disregard2 Regular charitable/voluntary payments 20 20 21.80