Previous Section Index Home Page


Housing Benefit

Mr. John Townend: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what were the total amounts paid to recipients of housing benefit in (a) Humberside, (b) Hull,

28 Nov 1995 : Column: 616

(c) North Yorkshire, (d) Leeds, (e) Bradford and (f) Sheffield in (i) 1991-92 and (ii) 1993-94; and if he will estimate the amounts likely to be paid out in the current year; [2146]

Mr. Roger Evans: Information is not available in the format requested. Expenditure figures for Bridlington are included in those given for East Yorkshire district council which administers housing benefit in the Bridlington area.

Housing benefit expenditure
£ million

Counties1991-921993-94
Humberside85.9116.1
North Yorkshire44.466.3


Districts1991-921993-1994
Bradford51.168.9
East Yorkshire7.310.8
Kingston upon Hull42.855.3
Leeds 83.7109.8
Sheffield63.784.6

Expenditure shown for Humberside includes the amounts shown for

East Yorkshire and Kingston upon Hull.

Estimates for expenditure during 1995-1996 are not available.


Incapacity Benefit

Mr. Chris Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of those claimants appealing against the results of the all-work test for incapacity benefit have had their appeals upheld. [2085]

Mr. Burt: As at 31 October 1995, 354 appeals against decisions on incapacity benefit entitlement following application of the all-work test had been heard. In 146 cases--41 per cent.--the appeal tribunal found in the appellant's favour.

Benefit Uprating

Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the new rates of benefit proposed from April 1996. [3231]

Mr. Lilley: As usual, the annual uprating of social security benefits will take place in the first full week of the tax year. In 1996, this will be the week beginning on 8 April.

Expenditure on social security will be £90 billion in 1996-97, £93 billion in 1997-98 and £96 billion in 1998-99.

I have reviewed social security benefits in accordance with section 150 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992. My proposals, which are set out in the schedule,

28 Nov 1995 : Column: 617

will increase most of the major benefits in line with inflation. The statutory instruments to implement them will be laid before both Houses for debate. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland proposes to introduce similar changes for Northern Ireland.

All national insurance benefits will be uprated in line with the annual increase in the retail prices index up to September, which this year is 3.9 per cent.

Income-related benefits will generally rise by 3 per cent., in line with the Rossi index--RPI less certain housing costs.

As a first step in restructuring benefits for lone parents, one parent benefit and the income-related benefit lone parent premiums will not be increased in 1996.

Some key points of the 1996 increases are:


28 Nov 1995 : Column: 618

28 Nov 1995 : Column: 617

28 Nov 1995 : Column: 641

28 Nov 1995 : Column: 641

Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy when details of the April 1996 benefit uprating are released to list (a) for each benefit and each capital or income limit which is not to be increased in April 1996, the reasons for not doing so and (b) the current value of each such benefit or limit and the value which would have resulted from increasing it in line with prices and average earnings since it was last increased or since it was introduced. [1089]

Mr. Burt: No. The announcement of benefit rates from April 1996 is in a similar format to previous years.


Next Section Index Home Page