Explanatory note

This Order makes provision for the calculation of housing benefit and council tax benefit subsidy payable under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 to authorities administering housing benefit or council tax benefit.

It sets out in Part II the manner in which the total figure for an authority’s housing benefit subsidy in respect of rent rebates and allowances for the year ending 31st March 1997 is calculated (articles 3(a) and 4 to 9 and Schedules 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8) and the manner of calculating the additional sum payable to an authority in respect of the costs of administering housing benefit (article 3(b) and Schedules 1, 2, 10, 11, 12 and 13).

The Order also makes provision for additions and deductions to subsidy in respect of rent rebates or allowances (articles 4(3), 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12 and Schedules 4, 6, 8 and 9).

In addition, the Order sets out in Part III the manner in which the total figure for the appropriate authority’s subsidy in respect of council tax benefit for the year ending 31st March 1997 is calculated (articles 15(a), 16 and 17) and the manner of calculation of the additional sum payable to an appropriate authority in respect of the costs of administering council tax benefit (article 15(b) and Schedules 1, 2, 10, 11, 12 and 13) and makes provision for additions and deductions to subsidy in respect of community charge and council tax benefits (articles 16(2), 18, 19, 20 and 21 and Schedules 4 and 9).

This Order does not impose a charge on businesses.