Asked
If he has assessed the potential impact of the freeze on Local Housing Allowance on levels of poverty among older private renters.
Reply
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
The Westminster lensArchive · Written questions · 63 tabled · 63 answered
Written questions by Reader.
Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mike Reader this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Department:All (63)Department for Transport (8)Treasury (8)Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (7)Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (7)Home Office (6)Department for Business and Trade (5)Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (5)Department for Culture, Media and Sport (4)Department of Health and Social Care (4)Department for Education (3)Department for Work and Pensions (3)Ministry of Justice (1)
Showing 1–3 of 3 · Department for Work and Pensions
Asked
With reference to the Get Britain Working White Paper, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of young people in supported housing becoming worse off when entering into employment because of benefit rules.
Reply
The income taper in Housing Benefit ensures people in work are better off than someone wholly reliant on benefits. In addition to any financial advantage, there are important non-financial benefits of working. These benefits include learning new skills, improved confidence and independence as well as a positive effect on an individual's mental and physical health. Notwithstanding these positive outcomes from work, the Department acknowledges there is a challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in Supported Housing and Temporary Accommodation and receiving their housing support through Housing Benefit. The department will consider the issue carefully in partnership with stakeholders.
Asked
If she will make an assessment of the financial impact of reducing the housing benefit taper rate for people in supported housing.
Reply
The income taper in Housing Benefit ensures people in work are better off than someone wholly reliant on benefits. In addition to any financial advantage, there are important non-financial benefits of working. These benefits include learning new skills, improved confidence and independence as well as a positive effect on an individual's mental and physical health. Notwithstanding these positive outcomes from work, the Department acknowledges there is a challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in Supported Housing and Temporary Accommodation and receiving their housing support through Housing Benefit. The department will consider the issue carefully in partnership with stakeholders.
Sources
SourceUK Parliament Members API
MethodQuestion and answer text as published. Question preamble (“To ask the…”) trimmed for readability; answers shown in full.