Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what representations he has received on the effect of the shared accommodation rate on (a) pregnant women, (b) those fleeing domestic violence, and (c) other vulnerable people; and what research he has commissioned on those issues.

There have been a number of representations about the extension of the age threshold for the Shared Accommodation Rate and the effect of the change on certain groups of people. However, the cost of identifying which representations were about the specific groups quoted since January 2012 would be disproportionate.

Whilst there is no research planned by DWP to look at the impact on the groups of people mentioned, the Department commissioned an independent evaluation of the changes to Local Housing Allowance, including the extension of the shared accommodation rate. The final reports were published in July 2014 and are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-housing-allowance-monitoring-the-impact-of-changes