To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment has been made of the number of (a) owner occupiers, (b) private tenants and (c) social housing tenants in each local authority area, who will be affected by the restriction in council tax benefit to the band E level. [19344]
The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.
| Estimated number of council tax benefit recipients affected by the restrictions to band E | |
| Tenure group | Number of recipients |
| Owner occupiers | 25,000 |
| Social housing tenants | 5,000 |
| Private tenants | 15,000 |
| Not identified1 | 15,000 |
| Total | 65,000 |
Notes:
1 Not identified. However, it is likely that the majority of these cases will be owner occupiers.
1. Numbers of recipients have been rounded to the nearest 5,000 cases. Figures do not sum due to rounding.
Source:
Housing Benefit Management Information Statistics.
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the estimated savings in each of the first three years, from the restrictions of council tax benefit to the band E level from April 1998. [19343]
The information is set out in the table.
Estimated savings in each of the first three years from restrictions of council tax benefit to band E
| |
£ million
| |
Year
| Estimated savings
|
| 1998–1999 | 15 |
| 1999–2000 | 15 |
| 2000–2001 | 15 |
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment has been made of the (a) additional council tax arrears and (b) costs to local authorities and magistrates courts of additional enforcement action, which will result from the restriction of council tax benefit to the band E level. [19346]
This measure will affect only those people living in the most expensive properties, and the numbers are small: less than 2 per cent. of Council Tax Benefit recipients will be affected, the majority of whom will lose less than £3.00 per week. It will be for individual Local Authorities to determine what action to take in respect of individuals who do not meet their liability.
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimates have been made of (a) the average and (b) the maximum annual shortfall council tax benefit claimants will have to meet in respect of those living in properties in bands F, G and H as a result of the restriction of council tax benefit to the band E level. [19345]
The information is set out in the table.
| Estimated average and maximum annual shortfalls to be met by council tax benefit recipients in bands F, G and H | ||
| Band | Average annual shortfall (£) | Maximum annual shortfall (£) |
| F | 150 | 247 |
| G | 290 | 494 |
| H | 243 | 864 |
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which 20 local authority areas he estimates will yield the greatest savings from restricting council tax benefit to band E from April 1998. [19347]
A reliable estimate on an individual Local Authority basis is not available.
Note:
The effects of this policy are modelled using Housing Benefit Management Information Statistics. This is sample data encompassing 1 per cent. of Council Tax Benefit recipients. This data provides an accurate picture of the characteristics of the Council Tax Benefit recipient population as a whole.
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to amend the nominal rate for interest received on savings, used in the calculation of council tax benefit. [19349]
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Wales (Mr. Hinchliffe) on 2 July 1997, Official Report, columns 205–06.