Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on evictions of people who are unable to afford their rent.

Throughout the pandemic, DWP has engaged regularly with MHCLG.

The Government has provided an unprecedented package of financial support to tenants and we have boosted the welfare safety net with billions of pounds.

As a result, the vast majority (91%) of private renters are up to date with their rent and of those in arrears, two thirds are in arrears of less than 2 months.

To support the most vulnerable renters, we have invested nearly £1 billion in raising Local Housing Allowance rates to the 30th percentile of local rents in April 2020. We have maintained LHA rates at their increased level in cash terms for 2021/22.

Housing support can be paid to landlords for claimants who cannot manage their Universal Credit payment, through Managed Payment to Landlord. This helps protect these claimants against further rent arrears.

Discretionary Housing Payments also provide critical support to claimants who need help with their housing costs. For 2021-22 the Government has made available £140m in Discretionary Housing Payments funding for local authorities in England and Wales.