§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 9 March 2000,Official Report, column 810W, on fraudulent housing benefit claims, if he will list the new powers given to local authorities to (a) control direct payments of housing benefit more tightly, (b) to recover overpayments more easily and (c) to require landlords to provide information. [116058]
£ Benefit Rate when introduced Date of introduction Current rate Value at April 2000 if increased in line with prices since date introduced Income Support (IS) 3,000 April 1988 3,000 4,701.40 Lower Capital Limit 6,000 April 1988 8,000 9,402,65 Upper Capital Limit 8,000 April 1990 8,000 11,382.15 Housing Benefit (HB) Capital Limits 3,000 April 1988 3,000 4,701.40 6,000 April 1988 16,000 9,402.65 8,000 May 1988 16,000 12,536.85 16,000 April 1990 16,000 22,764.45 Community Charge Benefit/Council Tax Benefit Capital Limits 16,000 April 1990 16,000 22,764.45 Child's Capital Limits 3,000 April 1988 3,000 4,701.40 IS/HB for Residential Care and Nursing Homes Capital Limits Upper 16,000 April 1996 16,000 17,437,60 Lower 10,000 April 1996 10,000 10,898.55 Social Fund Capital Limits All ages 500 April 1988 500 783.55 Aged 60 and over 1,000 April 1990 1,000 1,422.75 Notes:
1. The figures are rounded to the nearest 5 pence at each uprating date.
2. For income-related benefits the ROSSI index (Retail Price Index less rent, local taxes and mortgage interest payments), as published by the Official for National Statistics, is used.