Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Government's announcement during Budget 2020 to extend the exemptions from the Shared Accommodation Rate, if he will bring forward the planned exemption for survivors of domestic abuse and human trafficking; for what reasons that category of persons were not included in the recent decision to bring forward the exemption for rough sleepers aged 16-24 and care leavers up to age 25 to June 2021; and if he will make a statement.

The additional support to expand existing exemptions for care leavers and former residents of homeless hostels has been brought forward by over two years and made available from 31
May 2021.

However, the new exemptions from the shared accommodation rate for victims of domestic violence and modern slavery will require more significant amendments to legislation as well as local
authority and Universal Credit IT systems, which will take time to develop and implement.

For those who require additional housing support and whose circumstances may make it difficult for them to share accommodation, Discretionary Housing Payments are
available. Since 2011, the government has provided over £1 billion in Discretionary Housing Payments to local authorities to help support vulnerable people.