Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the increase in the average speed of processing a change of circumstance to an existing housing benefit claim since quarter 4 of 2020-21; and whether his Department is taking steps to reduce the time taken to process a change of circumstance.

The DWP Permanent Secretary is the accountable officer for Housing Benefit, however, it is for Local Authorities to decide how best to deliver their Housing Benefit services. It remains the focus of DWP to work collaboratively with Local Authorities in all areas to improve performance. This includes monitoring speed of processing data for new claims and changes of circumstances and engaging with Local Authorities regularly to share good practice and offer advice and support. This includes DWP business consultancy support for Local Authorities in England, Scotland and Wales.