Written question asked by Baroness Teather (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 17 June 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 June 2005. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 July 2005 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Under-occupation (Brent)

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact of the London borough of Brent's policy of offering financial incentives to under-occupying tenants willing to move to smaller accommodation.

Answer: Local authorities are responsible for developing a strategy for tackling housing issues in their area. Careful consideration needs to be given to the role provision of assistance to existing tenants to help them move to other accommodation, in either the social or private sector, might play.In deciding their general policy on assistance, authorities need to be clear when giving financial support that it will be used in obtaining suitable alternative long-term accommodation, that it represents good value for money and impacts on reducing housing pressures.

Secondary information