HC Deb 15 June 2004 vol 422 cc846-7W
Ms Oona King

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many Cash Incentive Scheme grants were made by each local authority in 2003–04; and what the total value of these grants was in each authority. [178690]

Keith Hill

Information on Cash Incentive Scheme grants made in 2003–04 will not be available until autumn 2004. The number of Cash Incentive grants made and the total expenditure by each local authority in 2002–03 has been made available in the Libraries of the Houses. In England, local authorities reported that 574 Cash Incentive Scheme grants were made, with a value of around £8.95 million.

Ms Oona King

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his response to Recommendation 18 of the Home Ownership Task Force, if he will commission research into the strategic benefits of Cash Incentive Scheme grants. [178733]

Keith Hill

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is committed to encouraging social tenants to move into home ownership where they can afford to do so, while minimising unnecessary loss of social housing. The Home Ownership Task Force was established to help with this objective. We have or are already taking forward the majority of its recommendations. Consideration is still being given to the research project on Cash Incentive Schemes recommended by the Task Force alongside other priorities for the limited research funds for 2004–05.