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Proceeding contribution from Karen Buck (Labour) in the House of Commons on Monday, 13 June 2011. It occurred during Debate on bill on Welfare Reform Bill (Programme) (No. 2).


Welfare Reform Bill (Programme) (No. 2)

Pensioners are excluded. As I have argued, the attempt to move people of working age in order to avoid the disability penalty is likely to stop registered social landlords from moving pensioners who want to downsize voluntarily, because there simply is not enough flexibility in the social rented sector to allow that to happen. The hon. Lady is making my point for me: there is no discretion. The 670,000 social housing tenants who will be subject to the housing benefit cut, and the 101,000 to 108,000 people in specifically adapted properties, will be subject to a benefit cap. There will not be any discretion. All that the Government can say, apart from mentioning the possibility of people taking in a lodger or moving to an alternative property in a few cases, is that the discretionary housing payment will sort it all out.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
529 c594 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Childcare Deductions Capital rules Housing benefit Free school meals Overpayments Pension credit Low incomes Pay Universal credit Reform Social security benefits Social security Welfare tax credits Self-employed
Legislation
Welfare Reform Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk