§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if, under current regulations, business loans from banks or charities preclude people from claiming(a) council tax rebates and (b) housing benefit. [18256]
§ Malcolm WicksI have been asked to reply.
To ensure equity of treatment between people claiming income-related benefits, all capital is subject to the same rules, regardless of how it has been acquired. No benefit is payable if capital exceeds the higher capital limit, which is currently £16,000 for council tax benefit and housing benefit.