Written question asked by Caroline Lucas (Green Party) on Thursday, 27 February 2020, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 March 2020. It was answered by Will Quince (Conservative) on Tuesday, 3 March 2020 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Care Leavers: Local Housing Allowance

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to extend the shared accommodation rate exemption for care leavers up to the age of 25; what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on local housing allowance provision for care leavers aged 22-25; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: There are no current plans to extend the exemption but for individuals who may require more support and whose circumstances may make it difficult for them to share accommodation, Discretionary Housing Payments are available. Since 2011 we have provided over £1billion in Discretionary Housing Payment funding, enabling local authorities to protect the most vulnerable claimants and supporting households to adapt to housing support reforms and we recently announced an extra £40 million in Discretionary Housing Payments for 2020/21, helping to tackle the most acute affordability pressures in the private rented sector.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 21953
Session: 2019-21
Subjects: Exemptions Young people Local housing allowance Shared housing Care leavers
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk