Written question asked by Lord Howarth of Newport (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 January 1997. It was answered by Roger Evans (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 January 1997 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: What is his estimate of the savings to his Department resulting from each of the changes to (a) restrict the amount of housing benefit payable on rents above the local reference level of 50 per cent. of the difference, (b) calculate housing benefit on the basis of single room rent levels for people aged under 25 years and (c) introduce payment of housing benefit in arrears. - Table given.

Answer: Mr. Alan Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the savings to his Department resulting from each of the changes to (a) restrict the amount of housing benefit payable on rents above the local reference level of 50 per cent. of the difference, (b) calculate housing benefit on the basis of single room rent levels for people aged under 25 years and (c) introduce payment of housing benefit in arrears. [10974] Mr. Roger Evans: The information is set out in the table: £ million _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 Restricting the amount of housing 58 113 141 benefit payable on rents above the local reference level of 50 per cent. Calculating housing benefit on 13 57 62 the basis of single room rent levels for people aged under 25 Paying housing benefit in arrears 105 120 75 _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 10974; 288 c565W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Benefits rules Housing benefit Social security benefits Young people Rents
Contains statistics: Yes