Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the impact of housing support available to private renters on (a) their ability to secure and remain in employment and (b) levels of food bank use.

The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) provides the maximum financial support available for renters claiming either Universal Credit or Housing Benefit in the private rented sector.

Employment patterns are driven by wider factors such as local labour market conditions.

Renters who receive housing support and face a shortfall in meeting their rent costs can apply for a Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payment from local authorities in England.

The government has taken steps and invested significantly to support families experiencing hunger and hardship – including but not limited to removing the two-child limit, introducing the Fair Repayment Rate and above inflation increases to Universal Credit, the Crisis and Resilience Fund and reforms to housing and employment rights.