Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the (a) lowest, (b) average and (c) largest loss of household income under the lower benefit cap for families (i) in receipt of universal credit and (ii) in receipt of legacy benefits.

The average reduction to Housing Benefit under the lower cap is estimated to be £60 per week in 2016/17 with around 500 households losing less than 50p per week and around 30 households losing more than £500 per week. This represents the overall reduction due to the benefit cap rather than the additional reduction due to the lower cap.

These estimates focus on the benefit cap continuing to be applied under Housing Benefit, information on Universal Credit is not available.

Notes:

1. Estimates assume no behavioural responses - any behavioural responses to the lower cap, such as claimants moving into employment, may cause estimates to change.
2. The methodology used to estimate the reduction due to the cap is consistent with that described in the latest impact assessment published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/welfare-reform-and-work-act-impact-assessment-for-the-benefit-cap