| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Housing Benefit
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list (i) the number of claimants of housing benefit, (ii) the number of claimants as a percentage of the whole population, (iii) the total amount of housing benefit paid and (iv) the housing benefit per claimant for Newcastle upon Tyne from 1992-93 to 1997-98. [31535]
Mr. Keith Bradley: The information is set out in the table.
| Recipients | Recipients as a percentage of the whole population | Expenditure £ | Average weekly benefit £ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992-93 | 38,900 | 13.8 | 61,015 | 27.98 |
| 1993-94 | 40,230 | 14.1 | 67,834 | 30.04 |
| 1994-95 | 40,580 | 14.3 | 73,103 | 32.44 |
| 1995-96 | 40,340 | 14.2 | 78,434 | 35.02 |
| 1996-97 | 40,050 | 14.2 | 80,090 | 36.31 |
Notes:
1. Recipients can be a single person or a couple.
2. 1997-98 figures not yet available.
Sources:
1. Housing Benefit Management Information System.
2. DSS and Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions financial returns.
3. Population Estimates Unit, Office for National Statistics.
Mr. Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the net cost to public funds over the next four years of recent changes in respect of eligibility of single people to receive housing benefit. [32069]
Mr. Keith Bradley: The Government have revoked the measure put in place by the previous administration to extend the Single Room Rent to most single people between the ages of 25 and 59. They have also decided to proceed with the measures that exempted some young people from the restrictions announced in October 1996 on Housing Benefit for single people aged under 25, young people with non-dependants living with them and those in receipt of the severe Disability Premium.
The costs of these changes have been met by reallocation of resources from other programmes and will not lead to any net increase in overall planned public expenditure in 1997-98 and 1998-99.
Detailed expenditure plans for future years will be set after the completion of the Comprehensive Spending Reviews.
2 Mar 1998 : Column: 508
Mr. Jim Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to consult the Royal National Institute for the Blind on her review of disability living allowance expenditure. [31400]
Mr. Denham:
Disability benefits, including Disability Living Allowance, are included in the Department's Comprehensive Spending Review, which was announced on 11 June last year. The review is an important step in our plan to modernise and improve the Social Security system, so that it helps people to work as far as they are able; provides appropriate support to those who cannot work; and makes the most effective use of the resources available.
No decisions have been made. When we have identified specific proposals we will consult disabled people, their organisations, such as the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), and others with an interest. Ministers and officials have met with the RNIB on a number of occasions over recent months and have listened to their concerns which will be considered during the review. We will not implement any changes without first consulting on them.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will require the Benefits Agency, when responding to hon. Members' written parliamentary questions, to cite the unique identifying number of the question. [31883]
Mr. Keith Bradley:
With effect from 2 March 1998, the identifying number of Parliamentary Questions will be included on Chief Executive replies.
Mr. Lilley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the cost to public funds over the next four years of reforms to social security provision announced since 1 May 1997. [32070]
Mr. Field:
The Government are committed to working within the Control Totals announced by the previous Government for 1997-98 and 1998-99. Detailed spending plans for 1998-99 will be published in the Departmental Report and will take account of policy changes announced since 1 May 1997. The report will show that these changes will be achieved without any net increase in overall planned public expenditure. Expenditure on the New Deal will be met from the Windfall Tax.
Detailed expenditure plans for future years will be set after the completion of the Comprehensive Spending Reviews.
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals she has to reform the Habitual Residence rules. [31784]
Mr. Keith Bradley:
We are currently reviewing all aspects of the habitual residence test.
2 Mar 1998 : Column: 509
Mr. Burns:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what factors underlie the different figures for the cost of advertising to inform pensioners about winter fuel payments set out in her answers of 26 January 1998, Official Report, columns 111-12, and 23 February 1998, Official Report, column 129. [32026]
Mr. Denham:
My written answer on Monday 26 January 1998, Official Report, column 111, contained the cost of publicity and advertising. This figure of £1.7 million for the publicity campaign included the figure of £1,325,000 for press and TV advertising only given separately in my written answer, Monday 23 February 1998, Official Report, column 129.
The difference between these two figures covers the cost of producing information leaflets and posters and distribution of this publicity material through a number of local outlets visited by pensioners, for example, post offices and doctors' surgeries.
2 Mar 1998 : Column: 510
Mr. Malcolm Bruce:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her current estimate of the expenditure of her Department, its agencies and non departmental public bodies on hospitality since 1 May 1997. [27750]
Mr. Field
[holding answer 5 February 1998]: The information requested is set out in the table.
| £ | |
|---|---|
| DSS/HQ | 8,293 |
| ITSA | nil |
| BA | 8,690 |
| CA | 423 |
| CSA | nil |
| WPA | 38 |
| NDPB | 945 |
2 Mar 1998 : Column: 509