HC Deb 23 November 2000 vol 357 cc319-21W
Mr. Coleman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Council Tax Benefit claims there were in the last 12 months in respect of (a) Band F, (b) Band G and (c) Band H properties in (i) London and (ii) England. [138632]

Angela Eagle

The information requested is not available for the last 12 months. The latest available information is in the table.

Council tax benefit claims by council tax band
Band England London
F 29,000 14,000
G 10,000 6,000
H 1 1
1Signifies the data are nil or negligible

Notes

1. The data refer to households, which may be a single person, a couple or a family

2. The figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand

Source:

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System, annual 1 per cent. sample in May 1999

Mr. Coleman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what average annual cost is borne by restricted households claiming Council Tax Benefit for(a) Band F, (b) Band G and (c) Band H properties in (i) London and (ii) England. [138631]

Angela Eagle

The information is in the table.

Average annual cost borne by household by Council Tax Band— May 1999
£ May 1999
Band England London
F 153.20 157.70
G 315.00 1
H 1 1
1Insufficient data for statistically reliable estimates

Notes

1. The data refer to households, which may be a single person, a couple or a family

2. The figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 pence

3. The data exclude any cases where there is Transitional Protection in place, ie the Council Tax and Council Tax Benefit is not restricted to Band E

Source

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System, annual I per cent. sample, taken in May 1999

Mr. Coleman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received from bodies representing(a) local government, (b) registered social landlords and (c) Council Tax payers about Council Tax Benefit restrictions; and if he will make a statement. [138630]

Angela Eagle

We have received no recent representations from representative bodies. However, our records show that during the last three months we have received representations from two individual Council Tax Benefit recipients.

Mr. Coleman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the savings to the Exchequer of the Council Tax Benefit restriction scheme have been in each year of its operation. [138657]

Angela Eagle

It is estimated that the Council Tax Benefit restrictions for people living in properties in Bands F, G and H reduced spending on Council Tax Benefit by £1.5 million in 1998–99 and £4.5 million in 1999–2000.

Mr. Coleman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Council Tax Benefit claims are restricted to Band E; and what percentage this represents of properties, for(a) England and (b) London by (i) all property types, (ii) registered social landlords and (iii) local authority properties. [138628]

Angela Eagle

The information is in the table.

Council tax benefit recipients subject to council tax band restrictions as a proportion of properties
England London
All properties
Total properties 20,842,000 3,040,000
Number of restrictions 18.000 7,000
Percentage Less than 0.5 Less than 0.5
Registered social landlord/housing association properties
Total properties 1,039,000 218,000
Number of restrictions 1,000 1,000
Percentage Less than 0.5 Less than 0.5
Local authority properties
Total properties 3,309,000 596,000
Number of restrictions 1,000 1,000
Percentage Less than 0.5 Less than 0.5

Notes

1. The data refer to households, which may be a single person, a couple or a family.

2. The numbers of cases have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

Source

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System, annual 1 per cent. sample, taken in May 1999.

Housing and Construction Statistics published March 2000 by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. (Dwelling figures—December 1998).