Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the ability of the housing element of universal credit to reflect local rental market rates; and when that assessment was made.

For claimants living in the Private Rented Sector, the housing costs calculation is based on either the total amount of rent and service charges they pay, or the applicable Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate - whichever is lowest, less any deductions for housing costs contributions for any relevant non-dependents living in the claimant’s home.