Written question asked by David Rendel (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 23 February 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 26 February 1999. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Friday, 26 February 1999 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what savings he has estimated as a result of his proposal measures to reduce under-occuptation of social housing; and on what assumptions his estimate is based.

Answer: Mr. Rendel: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what savings he has estimated as a result of his proposal measures to reduce under-occupation of social housing; and on what assumptions his estimate is based. [73524] Angela Eagle: Under the Housing Benefit under-occupation pilot scheme, tenants living in social housing, who move to smaller accommodation may be entitled to a payment equal to approximately half the Housing Benefit saving in respect of the next three years. This Department has worked with a number of local authorities to devise the scheme and identify the cost factors. We propose to operate the scheme initially as a pilot in order to evaluate its housing and financial effects.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 326 c462W; 73524
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Housing benefit Finance Social security benefits Social rented housing Housing occupancy