Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to align housing support for young people in supported accommodation with the Universal Credit housing element provided to private renters.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department acknowledges there is a challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in Supported and Temporary Accommodation and receiving their housing support through Housing Benefit. The department is considering the issue carefully in partnership with stakeholders.
Maintaining Housing Benefit for customers in this type of housing has meant that they are not subject to the same restrictions that apply in general needs housing. We have taken this approach in recognition of the higher costs that can be associated with these types of housing.
Currently, a broad spectrum of customers receive their rent support through Housing Benefit. This includes pensioners, those resident in Supported or Temporary Accommodation as well as those customers who have not yet migrated to Universal Credit. Any amendment to the Housing Benefit taper rate would apply to all these groups.
Therefore, there are no plans to align the Housing Benefit taper with that of Universal Credit. The two benefits have different earnings rules, however, both include tapers that ensure that all customers are better off working than wholly reliant on benefits.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of increasing employment among young people in supported accommodation through benefit reform on costs to the Exchequer.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
We acknowledge there is a challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in Supported Accommodation and receiving their housing support through Housing Benefit.
We recognise that there is potential for savings to the Exchequer from young people in supported accommodation increasing their earnings. 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.
We are considering the issue carefully in partnership with stakeholders.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to reinstate the Independent Living Fund to provide additional support to young people in supported accommodation.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
There are currently no plans to replace the Independent Living Fund.
DWP provides support with rent and other living costs to those who are eligible and living in supported accommodation through Housing Benefit and Universal Credit. In 2023/24, DWP spent £32 billion on housing support.
Individuals, including young people with low income living in supported accommodation, may be eligible for housing costs to be paid by Housing Benefit if they meet legislative criteria. Housing Benefit may cover all or part of the rent and any eligible service charges, and in most cases, the full rent is paid.
The Department acknowledges there is a challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in Supported Accommodation and receiving their housing support through Housing Benefit. The department is considering the issue carefully in partnership with stakeholders.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of uprating the 25 pence age addition for those over 80 years old and in receipt of the Basic State Pension.
Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
No assessment has been made of the potential merits of uprating the 25 pence Age Addition by this Government.
The 25 pence a week Age Addition is part of the old State Pension, for those who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. It is paid with the basic State Pension, when somebody reaches the age of 80.
The 25 pence Age Addition is not part of the new State Pension, but for those people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, the 25 pence Age Addition under the existing rules will continue