§ Mr. Clifton-Brown:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the Government will issue the new regulations for payment and associated operations for (a) council tax benefit and (b) housing benefit by local authorities; and whether local authorities will be fully reimbursed by his Department for payments made under these benefits. [144195]
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§ Mr. Pond:We have recently conducted a review of the Housing Benefit (HB) and Council Tax Benefit (CTB) subsidy rules and rates. Details of the new rules and rates, which are clearer and simpler to administer, were issued to all local authorities in HB/CTB Circular S9/2003, a copy of which is in the Library. Local authorities will be fully reimbursed for all correctly paid HB and CTB.
The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Order 1998 (S11998 No 562) and amendments provide the legislative basis of subsidy payments to authorities. The new rules and rates will be incorporated in an amendment to this Order which will be laid, in accordance with the normal practice, after the end of the 2004–05 year.