To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of people who would be denied housing benefit if the Housing Benefit (General) Amendment No. 3 Regulations were implemented; and what is his estimate of the net savings.

The indications are that relatively few people in residential care and nursing homes are currently receiving housing benefit to help with their accommodation costs. Under the proposals, all those in a registered residential care or nursing home who were entitled to housing benefit on 29 October, or who had submitted a claim on or before that date which is subsequently determined in their favour, would retain entitlement under the current rules and, consequently, there would be no financial saving. Any potential savings from possible future claims can only be a matter of speculation.