This Order makes provision for the calculation of housing benefit subsidy payable under section 30(2) and (3) of the Social Security Act 1986 to authorities who grant rebates or allowances under that Act or the Social Security and Housing Benefits Act 1982, in the year ending 31st March 1989.

The Order sets out the manner in which the total figure for an authority’s subsidy in respect of rebates and allowances for the year is calculated (articles 2(a) and 3 to 10 and Schedules 2, 3 and 4), and the manner of calculating the additional sum payable to an authority in respect of the cost of administering housing benefit (article 2(b) and Schedule 1).

The Order also makes provision for the modification of the provisions for subsidy in respect of payments of housing benefit in excess of entitlement, made before 1st April 1988 under section 32 of the Social Security and Housing Benefits Act 1982 and discovered after 1st July 1988 (article 11).