Council apology over second incorrect housing benefit figure

WEST Berkshire Council has again been left red-faced after being forced to issue an apology to another private landlord over incorrect housing benefit figures.
On Monday a Daily Mirror article, based on figures obtained from the council, suggested that £625,964 in housing benefit was paid to Newbury MP Richard Benyon’s family estate.
The same article, which slammed “wealthy” private landlords for collecting money from those in receipt of benefit, also said that £195,000 was paid to Yattendon Estates Ltd, which is chaired by Lord Robert Iliffe.
On Tuesday the council issued a statement “apologising unreservedly” to Mr Benyon for releasing the incorrect figure and later admitted the correct amount was £119,237.
And today (Thurs) the council issued a second apology to Lord Iliffe and his family, adding that the correct amount was likely to be “substantially less” than the £195,000 published.