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 level of rent arrears in (a) public and (b) private sector accommodation since housing benefit has been paid directly to tenants.

DWP does not collect data on rent arrears. The Government believes that direct payment of Housing Benefit to claimants is an important consideration in encouraging people to manage their own budget in the same way as other households, particularly where it may help claimants when they move into work.