Social Security

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 4:55 pm on 14 February 1984.

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Photo of Mr Norman Fowler Mr Norman Fowler Secretary of State for Health and Social Security 4:55, 14 February 1984

The latter is true. We are examining a number of areas inside the social security system to see whether savings can be made. When we have finished that examination — and not before — we shall make an announcement on policy changes. As I said, a contribution would also be made from the contingency reserve.

As I also said, an important aspect of the modifications that we made to the original proposals is that they seek to minimise the additional administrative burdens on local authorities. Concern has been expressed that the original changes announced at the end of last year would have been difficult to implement by April. My hon. Friend the Minister for Social Security has discussed the revised proposals with the local authority associations, and they have confirmed that it is possible to implement them by April.

The views of the local authorities are also central to the No. 2 regulations. These provide a package of improvements, both to the administration of the scheme and to the benefits themselves. Many of the provisions arise directly from proposals made by the local authorities. With the permission of the House, I will not cover them in detail, but, for instance, they include a provision for rent allowances to be paid fortnightly; they simplify the rules for calculating benefit; and they change the rules dealing with unreasonably high rents and paying benefit direct to landlords. Given the concern expressed about administrative problems flowing from changes in the housing benefit scheme at this time, my hon. Friend also asked the local authority associations whether they wished these measures to go ahead. They confirmed that they wish us to proceed with the changes contained in the No. 2 regulations, many of which simplify the administration of the scheme.