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 potential merits of increasing housing benefit for young people in Surrey Heath constituency.

Most young people in receipt of support with housing will receive this support through the Housing Element of Universal Credit. However, there are some groups of customers receiving their rent support through Housing Benefit. This includes pensioners, individuals living in supported housing or temporary accommodation and customers who have not yet migrated to Universal Credit.

Maintaining rent support through Housing Benefit for customers (including young people) in this type of housing has meant that they are not subject to the same restrictions that apply in general needs housing. This approach recognises the higher costs that can be associated with these types of housing.

Any amendment to the Housing Benefit rules would apply to all of these groups and could result in Housing Benefit outstripping the provision provided by Universal Credit or undermining the work incentives.