§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the proportion and number of(a) single pensioners who receive a total income below £90 per week after housing costs and (b) pensioner couples who receive a total income below £135 per week after housing costs. [115744]
§ Mr. RookerThe information is in the table.
660W
Single pensioners with total net income after housing costs less than £90 Pensioner couples with total net income after housing costs less than £135 Number 2,190,000 630,000 Proportion (percentage) 52 24
§ Angela EaglePowers enabling local authorities (LAs) to control direct payments of benefit more tightly were introduced by the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (General) Amendment (No.2) Regulations 1997. (SI 1997 No.2434).
The Housing Benefit (Recovery of Overpayments) Regulations 1997, gave LAs the power to recover overpayments more easily. (SI 1997 No.2435).
The Housing Benefit (Information from Landlords and Agents) Regulations 1997 provide for LAs to require information from landlords and agents. (SI 1997 No. 2436).