The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1983-1987 Parliament

Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Housing Benefit – 10 December 1985

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Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Housing Benefit on 10th December 1985.

Mr. David Atkinson Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any evidence of abuse of the housing benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Major The housing benefits review indicated that there was little hard information about the nature and extent of abuse of the housing benefits scheme, but expressed concern about the potential for abuse by both claimants and landlords. This concern has also been voiced by others, including individual local authorities and the Audit Commission. The Green Paper, Reform of Social Security (Cmnd. 9518) included proposals for strengthening safeguards against abuse of the scheme.