House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 29 Jun 2005 (pt 8)

29 Jun 2005 : Column 1556W—continued

Stations

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which train operating companies are participating in the secure station scheme. [8072]

Ms Buck: The following 19 train operating companies, including the London Underground, are participating in the secure stations scheme:

Arriva Trains Wales

C2C

Eurostar

First Great Western

Gatwick Station Services

GNER

London and Continental Stations and Property

London Underground—the Tube

Merseyrail

Midland Mainline

Northern Rail

Network Rail

One Railway

Serco Docklands Ltd

Silverlink

Southern

South West Trains

Thameslink

Virgin

Approximately two thirds of all overground rail journeys, one tenth of London Underground journeys and 90 per cent. of DLR journeys involve passengers starting or finishing their journey at a secure station.

Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with Network Rail in the last six months about upgrading stations; and if he will make a statement. [5682]

Derek Twigg: Ministers are exploring with Network Rail what the company might do proactively to further address capacity problems at the larger stations across the network by working with private developers to realise additional development gain. Network Rail advises that further proposals are anticipated for a number of London mainline stations in the near future and that it is working on next stage development projects for smaller stations. These schemes will require

29 Jun 2005 : Column 1557W

works to Network Rail specification, but will build in scope for bidders to reduce the net cost by exploiting development potential.

Vehicle Registration

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the penalties are for failing to have a V5C Vehicle Registration document; and from when they apply. [6720]

Dr. Ladyman: A keeper of a vehicle commits an offence for failing to produce a vehicle registration document (V5), or a vehicle registration certificate (V5C) for inspection, if required to do so at any reasonable time, to a police constable or a person acting on behalf of the Secretary of State. A vehicle keeper, if found guilty of this offence, is liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of £500.

There is no specific penalty for not having the new vehicle registration certificate.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Council Tax

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will raise the lower earnings level at which council tax benefit starts to fall below the maximum to the level of the income tax personal allowance; and if he will estimate the cost of making such a change. [7271]

Mr. Plaskitt: An individual's earnings is only one of several factors affecting council tax benefit entitlement and we have no plans to make such a change.

Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of pensioner households paid (a) more than 5 per cent. (b) more than 10 per cent. and (c) more than 15 per cent. of their gross income in council tax in the most recent year for which figures are available. [6766]

29 Jun 2005 : Column 1558W

Mr. Plaskitt: The proportion of pensioner households paying (a) more than 5 per cent. (b) more than 10 per cent. and (c) more than 15 per cent. of their household income in council tax for 2003–04, in Great Britain is presented in the following table:

Thresholds Percentage of pensioner households with
spending on council tax bills as a proportion
of household income above thresholds

(a) 5 per cent. 47

(b) 10 per cent. 12

(c) 15 per cent. 3

Note:
Thresholds are calculated as quotients. The numerator 'council tax spent' is taken as the expenditure on council tax bill net of council tax benefit. The denominator is total household income net of council tax benefit.
Source:
Family Resources Survey (FRS), 2003–04

Thresholds	Percentage of pensioner households with spending on council tax bills as a proportion of household income above thresholds
(a) 5 per cent.	47
(b) 10 per cent.	12
(c) 15 per cent.	3

Home Responsibilities Protection

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether a woman who works for a short time during a year when she is otherwise engaged in full-time child care is eligible for continued home responsibilities protection. [7331]

Mr. Timms: Yes, provided she is entitled to child benefit throughout the tax year.

Housing Allowance/Benefit

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list flat rate housing allowances in each of the allowance pilot areas; what uprating methods are used for each allowance; and how many claimants of each flat rate allowance there are in each pilot area. [6323]

Mr. Plaskitt: Local housing allowance rates are set according to broad rental market areas and the number of rooms a claimant is eligible to have under the size criteria.

Local housing allowance rates are reviewed monthly by The Rent Service and the amount of local housing allowance payable is the rate that applies at the date of claim for benefit. Local housing allowance is awarded for one year unless a relevant change of circumstances occurs and triggers an earlier review.

The information is in the tables.
Local housing allowance (LHA) rate in Pathfinder areas, by broad market rental area (BRMA) and by type of LHA—June 2005 £ per week

Pathfinder area—BRMA Shared room rate 2 rooms 3 rooms 4 rooms 5 rooms 6 rooms

Blackpool—Fylde 50 77.5 102.5 110 127.5 149

Brighton and Hove 70 130 171 208 237 276

Conwy—North coast 42.5 69 87 98 109 126

Conwy—North rural 40 63 74 82 85 107

Conwy—Menai 42.5 68 85 101 109 115

Coventry 50 92 107 110 121 139

Edinburgh—North 62 104 130 159 194 231

Edinburgh—East 62 101 130 159 200 237

Edinburgh—Central 69 115 147 190 248 306

Edinburgh—South 62 104 133 161 202 237

Leeds 50 83.5 101 113 123.5 137.5

Lewisham—LSE Central 78 155 208 235 280 355

Lewisham—LSE Inner 85 195 235 295 360 425

NE Lincolnshire 43.5 62.5 80 87.5 90 97.5

Teignbridge—Teign 61 87 113 131 150 160

Teignbridge—Exeter 60 101 127 148 165 205

Teignbridge—Tiverton and Crediton 58 84 107 127 149 163

Teignbridge—Torbay 63 95 120 136 150 165

Teignbridge—South Devon 59 93 118 133 153 162

Teignbridge—Plymouth Environs 58 89 104 121 133 153

Source:
Data provided by The Rent Service, June 2005.

29 Jun 2005 : Column 1559W

Number of claimants by local housing allowance type in each pathfinder area—November 2004

Shared room rate 2 rooms 3 rooms 4 rooms 5 rooms 6 plus rooms All

Blackpool 690 3,740 1,790 400 500 210 7,320

Brighton and Hove 1,580 3,690 1,760 340 220 110 7,690

Conwy 170 880 400 80 90 40 1,660

Coventry 410 970 860 180 280 120 2,830

Edinburgh 870 2,110 1,800 330 300 130 5,520

Leeds 980 1,660 1,140 240 350 200 4,570

Lewisham 1,010 1,070 760 190 210 90 3,340

North East Lincolnshire 330 1,400 1,350 330 380 140 3,940

Teignbridge 140 660 420 110 90 ⁽⁶⁾— 1,440

All 6,170 16,180 10,270 2,200 2,430 1,060 38,300

⁽⁶⁾Nil or negligible.
Note:
Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and may not sum due to rounding.
Source:
DWP administrative data for Pathfinder data November 2004.

Pathfinder area—BRMA	Shared room rate	2 rooms	3 rooms	4 rooms	5 rooms	6 rooms
Blackpool—Fylde	50	77.5	102.5	110	127.5	149
Brighton and Hove	70	130	171	208	237	276
Conwy—North coast	42.5	69	87	98	109	126
Conwy—North rural	40	63	74	82	85	107
Conwy—Menai	42.5	68	85	101	109	115
Coventry	50	92	107	110	121	139
Edinburgh—North	62	104	130	159	194	231
Edinburgh—East	62	101	130	159	200	237
Edinburgh—Central	69	115	147	190	248	306
Edinburgh—South	62	104	133	161	202	237
Leeds	50	83.5	101	113	123.5	137.5
Lewisham—LSE Central	78	155	208	235	280	355
Lewisham—LSE Inner	85	195	235	295	360	425
NE Lincolnshire	43.5	62.5	80	87.5	90	97.5
Teignbridge—Teign	61	87	113	131	150	160
Teignbridge—Exeter	60	101	127	148	165	205
Teignbridge—Tiverton and Crediton	58	84	107	127	149	163
Teignbridge—Torbay	63	95	120	136	150	165
Teignbridge—South Devon	59	93	118	133	153	162
Teignbridge—Plymouth Environs	58	89	104	121	133	153

	Shared room rate	2 rooms	3 rooms	4 rooms	5 rooms	6 plus rooms	All
Blackpool	690	3,740	1,790	400	500	210	7,320
Brighton and Hove	1,580	3,690	1,760	340	220	110	7,690
Conwy	170	880	400	80	90	40	1,660
Coventry	410	970	860	180	280	120	2,830
Edinburgh	870	2,110	1,800	330	300	130	5,520
Leeds	980	1,660	1,140	240	350	200	4,570
Lewisham	1,010	1,070	760	190	210	90	3,340
North East Lincolnshire	330	1,400	1,350	330	380	140	3,940
Teignbridge	140	660	420	110	90	⁽⁶⁾—	1,440
All	6,170	16,180	10,270	2,200	2,430	1,060	38,300

Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in what percentage of housing benefit claims a rent officer determination was involved in the last period for which figures are available, broken down by local authority area. [5447]

Mr. Plaskitt: This information is not available.

Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time taken to process a housing benefit claim in the (a) private sector and (b) registered social landlord sector was in the last period for which figures are available, broken down by region. [5457]

Mr. Plaskitt: The information is in the table.
Average time (calendar days) taken to process a housing benefit claim in the private sector (PRS) and registered social landlord sector (RSL) in the fourth quarter of 2004–05

Government office region PRS claims RSL claims

East Midlands 43 33

Eastern 52 35

London 52 40

North East 46 36

North West 39 32

Scotland 43 30

South East 43 30

South West 41 32

Wales 62 41

West Midlands 42 39

Yorks and Humberside 42 34

National average 46 34

Note:
Not all local authorities have returned data in every quarter; the reported figures are the weighted averages of those that have returned figures.
Source:
Local authority statistical returns.

29 Jun 2005 : Column 1560W

Government office region	PRS claims	RSL claims
East Midlands	43	33
Eastern	52	35
London	52	40
North East	46	36
North West	39	32
Scotland	43	30
South East	43	30
South West	41	32
Wales	62	41
West Midlands	42	39
Yorks and Humberside	42	34
National average	46	34

Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what safeguards are in place to protect vulnerable claimants in the housing benefit pathfinders; and if he will make a statement. [5460]

Mr. Plaskitt: One of the aims of the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is to promote personal responsibility and financial inclusion. As such the majority of customers will receive their LHA direct, and make their own arrangements to pay their rent to their landlord.

However, in recognition of the risk that some tenants may struggle with this responsibility, safeguards have been put in place. Pathfinder authorities have the discretion to make the payment to the landlord in certain circumstances, where there is a history of vulnerability or failure to pay their rent.

The local authorities implementing LHA have received guidance on when paying LHA to the tenant is likely to be inappropriate, but have the discretion to decide each case on its merits.

In addition, current regulations allow for housing benefit to be paid directly to the landlord where a tenant accrues at least eight weeks rent arrears; this provision is extended to the LHA scheme.

Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the proportion of benefit claimants who have (a) lost and (b) gained as a result of the introduction of the local housing allowance, broken down by Pathfinder area; and how much on average such claimants have (i) lost and (ii) gained, broken down by Pathfinder area. [5461]

29 Jun 2005 : Column 1561W

Mr. Plaskitt: There are no losers on the Local Housing Allowance in the Pathfinder areas. Claimants who would have been financially worse off under the Local Housing Allowance compared to the old housing benefit system are transitionally protected.

Information on those who are financially better off under the Local Housing Allowance compared to under the old housing benefit system is currently not available.

The Department has commissioned a comprehensive, independent evaluation of the Local Housing Allowance Pathfinders. This will provide information on the impact of the Local Housing Allowance, including information about gainers. The first interim findings of the evaluation are being published over the summer and the results of the final evaluation will be published at the end of next year.

Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time taken to process a housing benefit claim was when a rent officer determination (a) was involved and (b) was not involved in the last period for which figures are available, broken down by local authority area. [5466]

Mr. Plaskitt: The information is not available.

Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of housing benefit claimants rent from the private sector in each of the housing benefit Pathfinder areas. [5471]

Mr. Plaskitt: The information is in the table.
Housing benefit private tenants⁽⁷⁾ by Pathfinder—February 2005

Local authority

All private⁽⁷⁾ tenants Percentage of total housing benefit recipients that are private⁽⁷⁾ tenants

Blackpool 9,100 62.1

Brighton and Hove 9,900 42.7

Conwy 2,700 39.9

Coventry 5,300 24.2

Edinburgh 7,300 21.5

Leeds 7,500 13.9

Lewisham 5,200 18.2

North East Lincoln 4,900 40.1

Teignbridge 2,500 44.3

⁽⁷⁾Excluding registered social landlords.
Notes:
1. The data refer to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.
2. The caseloads are rounded to the nearest hundred and percentages are given to one decimal place.
3. Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.
4. Housing benefit figures exclude any extended payment cases.
Source:
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken in February 2005.

29 Jun 2005 : Column 1562W

Local authority	All private⁽⁷⁾ tenants	Percentage of total housing benefit recipients that are private⁽⁷⁾ tenants
Blackpool	9,100	62.1
Brighton and Hove	9,900	42.7
Conwy	2,700	39.9
Coventry	5,300	24.2
Edinburgh	7,300	21.5
Leeds	7,500	13.9
Lewisham	5,200	18.2
North East Lincoln	4,900	40.1
Teignbridge	2,500	44.3

Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many housing benefit recipients in the pathfinder areas have built up rent arrears of eight weeks or more following the introduction of direct payment; in which pathfinder areas they are located; and what the total amount of arrears is in each pathfinder since the introduction of the local housing allowance. [5475]

Mr. Plaskitt: The information is not available for housing benefit. The available information for the local housing allowance is in the table.
Local housing allowance recipients in the pathfinder areas who built up rent arrears of eight weeks or more, February 2005

Pathfinder
areas Number of
LHA claimants Number of
LHA claimants
with 8 weeks or
more rent arrears Proportion of
LHA claimants
with 8 weeks or
more rent arrears (%)

Blackpool 8,140 630 8

Brighton and Hove 8,210 200 2

Conwy 1,990 30 2

Coventry 3,600 100 3

Edinburgh 5,940 50 1

Leeds 5,900 280 5

Lewisham 3,670 190 5

North East Lincolnshire 4,220 110 3

Teignbridge 1,870 30 1

All pathfinders 4,540 1,620 4

Notes:
1. There are differences between local authorities in classifying rent arrears. Therefore, the data reported may be over or underestimate of the actual situation.
2. The reported percentages in pathfinder areas vary between 1 per cent. and 8 per cent. and the average may be over or under estimated.
3. The data reported is a snapshot (mid February 2005) and not a full count of a quarter.
Source:
DWP administrative data for Pathfinder areas. February 2005.

Pathfinder areas	Number of LHA claimants	Number of LHA claimants with 8 weeks or more rent arrears	Proportion of LHA claimants with 8 weeks or more rent arrears (%)
Blackpool	8,140	630	8
Brighton and Hove	8,210	200	2
Conwy	1,990	30	2
Coventry	3,600	100	3
Edinburgh	5,940	50	1
Leeds	5,900	280	5
Lewisham	3,670	190	5
North East Lincolnshire	4,220	110	3
Teignbridge	1,870	30	1
All pathfinders	4,540	1,620	4

Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average standard housing allowances are in each of the housing benefit pathfinder areas, broken down by household type. [5478]

Mr. Plaskitt: The available information is in the table.
Average local housing allowance amount for claimants in each Pathfinder area broken down by household type £ per week

Couple (under 60) with children Couple (under 60) no children Single (under 60) with children Single (under 60) no children Single pensioner Couple pensioner All

Blackpool 114 79 105 72 75 79 86

Brighton 193 127 176 106 117 130 129

Conwy 96 71 89 62 65 68 73

Coventry 119 91 107 73 79 89 92

Edinburgh 171 111 147 94 99 114 120

Leeds 119 84 109 72 77 88 88

Lewisham 247 151 223 115 131 164 158

North East Lincs 87 67 79 64 64 66 73

Teignbridge 126 87 114 75 81 82 95

All 144 94 129 88 89 91 105

Notes:
1. Household status refers only to the claimant.
2. Local housing allowance amount refers to the maximum amount a claimant is eligible to receive. The amount of benefit a claimant actually receives may differ because of their circumstances.
3. Due to data concerns the table does not include the full local housing allowance caseload.
Source:
DWP administrative data for Pathfinder data November 2004, DWP income support data October and November 2004, DWP pension credit data Nov 2004, DWP jobseeker's allowance data Nov 2004.

29 Jun 2005 : Column 1563W

	Couple (under 60) with children	Couple (under 60) no children	Single (under 60) with children	Single (under 60) no children	Single pensioner	Couple pensioner	All
Blackpool	114	79	105	72	75	79	86
Brighton	193	127	176	106	117	130	129
Conwy	96	71	89	62	65	68	73
Coventry	119	91	107	73	79	89	92
Edinburgh	171	111	147	94	99	114	120
Leeds	119	84	109	72	77	88	88
Lewisham	247	151	223	115	131	164	158
North East Lincs	87	67	79	64	64	66	73
Teignbridge	126	87	114	75	81	82	95
All	144	94	129	88	89	91	105

Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the level of (a) fraud and (b) error in housing benefit payments was as a percentage of housing benefit expenditure in each year since 1997; and what sums were involved in each case in each year, broken down by (i) region and (ii) local authority area; [5487]

(2) what the total amount of overpayments of housing benefit was in each year since 1997, broken down by region. [5452]

Mr. Plaskitt: The Department has undertaken continuous measurement of housing benefit fraud and error since 2002–03. The latest available headline information was published in the report Fraud and Error in Housing Benefit, April 2002 to March 2004, Part One" on 24 February 2005.

Information is not available at local authority level. Information at regional level is contained within the supplementary report, Fraud and Error in Housing Benefit, April 2002 to March 2004, Part Two", which was published on 26th May 2005.

Both reports are in the Library.

Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for further changes to the single room rent restriction. [5630]

Mr. Plaskitt: There are no current plans to change the housing benefit single room rent restriction. However, under the local housing allowance, young people who would otherwise have been subject to the single room rent are entitled to the new shared room rate. This is based on a more generous definition than the existing single room rent.

The impact of this new rate will be assessed as part of the evaluation of the local housing allowance in nine pathfinder local authority areas. This evaluation will help inform national roll out.

Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his most recent estimate is of the effect on the level of average housing benefit of the single room rent restriction. [5632]

Mr. Plaskitt: The information is not available in the format requested. However, as at February 2005 the average weekly housing benefit award for cases assessed under the single room rent was £48.73.

29 Jun 2005 : Column 1564W

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average housing benefit payment in each housing authority area in the North East was in November (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002, (d) 2003 and (e) 2004. [6324]

Mr. Plaskitt: The information is in the table.
Average weekly amount of housing benefit in north-east local authorities: November 2000 to 2004 £

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

North East GOR 40.19 42.36 45.78 45.06 47.68

Alnwick 37.26 38.64 40.56 42.46 43.72

Berwick upon Tweed 36.27 38.66 40.14 42.25 43.78

Blyth Valley 35.83 37.65 40.16 40.63 41.84

Castle Morpeth 37.67 39.60 41.61 44.73 46.05

Chester le Street 36.61 38.68 40.73 41.70 45.29

Darlington 43.08 46.20 51.02 49.51 51.91

Derwentside 41.34 44.37 43.49 43.69 46.27

Durham 37.78 39.70 43.23 42.96 45.70

Easington 36.08 38.45 40.20 40.81 44.53

Gateshead 36.46 39.44 41.96 43.67 45.11

Hartlepool 42.31 44.76 46.73 47.26 49.57

Middlesbrough 45.76 48.15 51.55 50.75 52.87

Newcastle upon Tyne 43.29 45.69 51.22 47.80 49.82

North Tyneside 38.64 41.33 46.90 45.22 47.11

Redcar and Cleveland 41.98 43.52 45.52 48.25 50.92

Sedgefield 37.44 39.62 42.56 43.42 45.73

South Tyneside 38.23 37.47 38.46 35.91 42.41

Stockton on Tees 42.11 44.49 47.22 47.01 50.15

Sunderland 41.47 44.12 50.03 47.10 49.91

Teesdale 41.53 43.08 45.11 45.39 46.64

Tynedale 38.41 41.46 43.99 45.79 47.14

Wansbeck 33.14 35.10 36.79 38.96 40.25

Wear Valley 39.15 41.10 45.45 45.34 46.85

Notes:
1. The data refer to benefit units which may be a single person, couple or family.
2. The figures are shown to the nearest penny.
3. Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.
4. Housing benefit figures exclude any extended payment cases.
Source:
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken November 2000 to 2004.

	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
North East GOR	40.19	42.36	45.78	45.06	47.68
Alnwick	37.26	38.64	40.56	42.46	43.72
Berwick upon Tweed	36.27	38.66	40.14	42.25	43.78
Blyth Valley	35.83	37.65	40.16	40.63	41.84
Castle Morpeth	37.67	39.60	41.61	44.73	46.05
Chester le Street	36.61	38.68	40.73	41.70	45.29
Darlington	43.08	46.20	51.02	49.51	51.91
Derwentside	41.34	44.37	43.49	43.69	46.27
Durham	37.78	39.70	43.23	42.96	45.70
Easington	36.08	38.45	40.20	40.81	44.53
Gateshead	36.46	39.44	41.96	43.67	45.11
Hartlepool	42.31	44.76	46.73	47.26	49.57
Middlesbrough	45.76	48.15	51.55	50.75	52.87
Newcastle upon Tyne	43.29	45.69	51.22	47.80	49.82
North Tyneside	38.64	41.33	46.90	45.22	47.11
Redcar and Cleveland	41.98	43.52	45.52	48.25	50.92
Sedgefield	37.44	39.62	42.56	43.42	45.73
South Tyneside	38.23	37.47	38.46	35.91	42.41
Stockton on Tees	42.11	44.49	47.22	47.01	50.15
Sunderland	41.47	44.12	50.03	47.10	49.91
Teesdale	41.53	43.08	45.11	45.39	46.64
Tynedale	38.41	41.46	43.99	45.79	47.14
Wansbeck	33.14	35.10	36.79	38.96	40.25
Wear Valley	39.15	41.10	45.45	45.34	46.85

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time in England was for processing (a) initial housing benefit claims, (b) changes of circumstances in existing claims, (c) claims for council tax benefit and (d) changes of circumstances for council tax benefit, in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by local authority. [6415]

29 Jun 2005 : Column 1565W

Mr. Plaskitt: The information has been placed in the Library.

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