To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of her Department’s expenditure on (a) council tax benefit and (b) housing benefit was paid to (i) tenants renting privately, (ii) tenants renting from a social landlord and (iii) homeowners in the latest period for which figures are available. (316252)

In 2007-08 it is estimated that 14 per cent. of council tax benefit expenditure was paid to private tenants, 58 per cent. to social tenants, and 28 per cent. to homeowners.

In 2008-09 one third of housing benefit expenditure was paid to tenants renting privately, and two thirds to tenants in the social rented sector, including local authority tenants.

Sources:

1. Housing benefit: Administrative and financial data from local authorities

2. Council tax benefit: National Statistics estimates of benefit take-up for 2007-08; available 2008-09 data from local authorities does not distinguish by tenure type.