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To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance has the Department issued to local authorities on the mechanisms for scrutinise Housing Benefit claims in the period prior to the implementation of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance has the Department issued to local authorities on the mechanisms for scrutinise Housing Benefit claims in the period prior to the implementation of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act.
Whilst DWP has responsibility for overall Housing Benefit policy and legislation, local authorities have statutory responsibility for the day-to-day administration and assessment of Housing Benefit claims.
The existing Housing Benefit guidance for supported housing claims provides advice for local authorities on how to assess and process Housing Benefit claims. We will be updating this manual early next year to reflect the measures being implemented within the Act.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in each of the past three financial years, how much Housing Benefit has been paid to providers of Supported Accommodation.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in each of the past three financial years, how much Housing Benefit has been paid to providers of Supported Accommodation.
The Department's Benefit Expenditure and Caseload outturn and forecast tables can be found in the ‘Housing Benefits’ sheet here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2026.
Equivalent estimates are not available for earlier years due to historical data quality issues in the recording of supported accommodation cases.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of homelessness accommodation providers' reliance on Housing Benefit as an income source on homelessness services.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of homelessness accommodation providers' reliance on Housing Benefit as an income source on homelessness services.
The Department for Work and Pensions provides Housing Benefit subsidy to local authorities to help meet the cost of supporting households in temporary accommodation. In Great Britain, local authorities spent approximately £1.4 billion on Housing Benefit for temporary accommodation in 2024/25, of which around £980 million was subsidised. In addition, the Government is providing just over £3.6 billion in homelessness and rough sleeping funding to English local authorities between 2026/27 and 2028/29. The cross-government Homelessness Value for Money Review has identified pressures across the temporary accommodation and supported housing sectors, including rising costs, increasing demand, and provider sustainability. It is considering whether current funding arrangements support effective homelessness prevention, deliver good outcomes for service users, and provide long-term value for money for taxpayers. The review is expected to conclude in advance of Spending Review 2027.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of financial support available to households experiencing financial hardship as a result of the removal of the spare room subsidy.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of financial support available to households experiencing financial hardship as a result of the removal of the spare room subsidy.
We continue to keep all policies under review, considering them against a range of factors, including the wider fiscal situation and government priorities.
The Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy, applies to working-age claims for housing support, either Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit, where the claimant is living in the social rented sector in a property that has more bedrooms than their benefit entitlement.
Easements are available which allow an additional bedroom to support disabled people and carers, the families of disabled children, foster carers, parents who adopt, parents of service personnel and people who have suffered a bereavement.
People facing difficulty in meeting their housing costs can apply to their local authority for discretionary support.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he last assessed the impact of the removal of the spare room subsidy on a) carers, b) disabled people and c) tenants with long-term health conditions; and whether he plans to bring forward proposals to reform the policy.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he last assessed the impact of the removal of the spare room subsidy on a) carers, b) disabled people and c) tenants with long-term health conditions; and whether he plans to bring forward proposals to reform the policy.
We continue to keep all policies under review, considering them against a range of factors, including the wider fiscal situation and government priorities.
The Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy, applies to working-age claims for housing support, either Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit, where the claimant is living in the social rented sector in a property that has more bedrooms than their benefit entitlement.
Easements are available which allow an additional bedroom to support disabled people and carers, the families of disabled children, foster carers, parents who adopt, parents of service personnel and people who have suffered a bereavement.
People facing difficulty in meeting their housing costs can apply to their local authority for discretionary support.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for the Department to publish a breakdown of the expenditure on the Universal Credit (UC) housing and Housing Benefit (HB) over the last ten years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for the Department to publish a breakdown of the expenditure on the Universal Credit (UC) housing and Housing Benefit (HB) over the last ten years.
Expenditure on Universal Credit Housing Element (UCHE) and Housing Benefit (HB) are published in the Benefit Expenditure and Caseload Tables.
There is a limit on how far back applications can be backdated, but if the hon. Gentleman would like to drop me a line with the details, I will make sure that we have a good look at the case he raises.
There is a limit on how far back applications can be backdated, but if the hon. Gentleman would like to drop me a line with the details, I will make sure that we have a good look at the case he raises.
The universal credit team have admitted that they made the wrong decision on whether my constituent had to pay the bedroom tax for a room to care for his son, but they have only backdated payments to 25 May 2025, rather than 1 July 2024. Can the Minister ensure that my constituent gets a full refund, and set out how we are going to stop future errors on universal credit decisions?
The universal credit team have admitted that they made the wrong decision on whether my constituent had to pay the bedroom tax for a room to care for his son, but they have only backdated payments to 25 May 2025, rather than 1 July 2024. Can the Minister ensure that my constituent gets a full refund, and set out how we are going to stop future errors on universal credit decisions?
The universal credit team have admitted that they made the wrong decision on whether my constituent had to pay the bedroom tax for a room to care for his son, but they have only backdated payments to 25 May 2025, rather than 1 July 2024. Can the Minister ensure that my constituent gets a full refund, and set out how we are going to stop future errors on universal credit decisions?
There is a limit on how far back applications can be backdated, but if the hon. Gentleman would like to drop me a line with the details, I will make sure that we have a good look at the case he raises.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the total value of Housing Benefit payments made for services that were either never provided or were billed above the actual cost incurred by the landlord in the 2025-26 financial year.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the total value of Housing Benefit payments made for services that were either never provided or were billed above the actual cost incurred by the landlord in the 2025-26 financial year.
Housing costs support is available in Housing Benefit or Universal Credit to those who have a liability to pay rent and eligible service charges for the home they live in.
The verification process is designed to establish the costs that the claimant has a liability for. The role of the Department is to determine the level of the liability as set out in the tenancy agreement, and to meet those costs in accordance with the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 and the Universal Credit Regulations 2013.
The Department does not collect data about payments made for services that were either not provided or were billed above the actual cost incurred by the landlord.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the verification of the accuracy of service costs covered by both Housing Benefit and Universal Credit when paid directly to a landlord.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the verification of the accuracy of service costs covered by both Housing Benefit and Universal Credit when paid directly to a landlord.
Housing costs support is available in Housing Benefit or Universal Credit to those who have a liability to pay rent and eligible service charges for the home they live in.
The verification process is designed to establish the costs that the claimant has a liability for. The role of the Department is to determine the level of the liability as set out in the tenancy agreement, and to meet those costs in accordance with the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 and the Universal Credit Regulations 2013.
The Department does not collect data about payments made for services that were either not provided or were billed above the actual cost incurred by the landlord.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of housing support available through Housing Benefit.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of housing support available through Housing Benefit.
Households in receipt of housing support living in the social rented sector have their eligible rent paid in full, unless the level of housing support is reduced because of their income or savings, contributions from non-dependants, or limited by the benefit cap or the Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy (RSRS). In Northern Ireland, both the benefit cap and RSRS are mitigated.
In the private rented sector, Local Housing Allowance (LHA) determines the maximum levels of housing support for households claiming Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit. LHA rates are reviewed annually, usually in the Autumn.
At Autumn Budget 2025, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions decided to maintain LHA rates at their current levels for 2026/27. Rent levels were considered alongside other factors, such as welfare priorities and support currently available within the challenging fiscal context.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the requirement that both members of a couple must have reached State Pension age in order to be eligible for Pension Credit and pension-age Housing Benefit on levels of...
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the requirement that both members of a couple must have reached State Pension age in order to be eligible for Pension Credit and pension-age Housing Benefit on levels of...
Since 15 May 2019 both members of a couple need to have reached State Pension age to be eligible for Pension Credit or pension-age Housing Benefit. Benefit support for couples where only one partner has reached State Pension age is provided through Universal Credit instead.
This change was made to ensure that the working age partner gets the right support and incentives to remain in contact with the labour market – and where appropriate moves into work – subject to their individual circumstances. No work-related conditionality applies to the pensioner partner.
This does not affect when the pension-age partner in a mixed-age couple can access their State Pension or eligibility for other benefits such as Attendance Allowance.
This Government has made supporting pensioners a priority, including by delivering a 4.8% increase to the State Pension this year. Pensioners on a low income may still qualify for help with their rent and Council Tax, and as of winter 2025/26, pensioners whose annual taxable income is at or below £35,000 will receive the Winter Fuel Payment. They may also benefit from free prescriptions and eye tests and free off-peak local bus travel. Further information on the help available can be found on: GOV.UK
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much was deducted from payments to claimants in the last year as a result of the social sector under occupancy deduction.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much was deducted from payments to claimants in the last year as a result of the social sector under occupancy deduction.
Information on the number of households subjected to the Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy (RSRS) and average RSRS amount is available on Stat-Xplore via the Housing Benefit and Universal Credit official statistics.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the freeze in Housing Benefit subsidy rates for temporary accommodation since January 2011 on local authority finances in London; and if he will take steps to uprate subsidy levels to...
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the freeze in Housing Benefit subsidy rates for temporary accommodation since January 2011 on local authority finances in London; and if he will take steps to uprate subsidy levels to...
DWP pays local authorities a Housing Benefit subsidy for temporary accommodation cases, but this is subject to limits to incentivise local authorities to find settled accommodation for residents and to ensure good value for money for the taxpayer.
The rules governing Housing Benefit subsidy for temporary accommodation apply across Great Britain, including London. We recognise that local authorities are subject to a range of funding pressures and keep the subsidy arrangements under review.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the implementation of his policy to merge Housing Benefit for pensioners with Pension Credit will require Primary Legislation, and when he expects the new system to be in operation.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the implementation of his policy to merge Housing Benefit for pensioners with Pension Credit will require Primary Legislation, and when he expects the new system to be in operation.
Through bringing together the administration of pensioner Housing Benefit and Pension Credit, we are working to ensure more pensioners receive all the benefits to which they are entitled. This work will deliver a simplified joined-up service that is more effective, consistent, and improves pensioner access to financial support.
There is no requirement for primary legislation changes to deliver this joined-up service, which we will be testing with a small set of customers from Autumn 2026 to ensure improvements are having the impact we expect, before agreeing to roll out more widely.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the freeze in Housing Benefit subsidy rates for temporary accommodation since January 2011 on local authority finances in London; and whether he will take steps to uprate subsidy...
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the freeze in Housing Benefit subsidy rates for temporary accommodation since January 2011 on local authority finances in London; and whether he will take steps to uprate subsidy...
Universal Credit is modernising the social security system, improving value for money for taxpayers and ensuring people are better supported to move into work where they can.
As I set out in my statement on 20th April, the full transition from legacy benefits is due to complete by the end of...
Universal Credit is modernising the social security system, improving value for money for taxpayers and ensuring people are better supported to move into work where they can.
As I set out in my statement on 20th April, the full transition from legacy benefits is due to complete by the end of...
My Right Honourable Friend, the Minister of State (Minister for Social Security and Disability) (The Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP) has made the following Written Statement.
Universal Credit is modernising the social security system, improving value for money for taxpayers and ensuring people are better supported to move into work...
My Right Honourable Friend, the Minister of State (Minister for Social Security and Disability) (The Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP) has made the following Written Statement.
Universal Credit is modernising the social security system, improving value for money for taxpayers and ensuring people are better supported to move into work...
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason a non-metropolitan county council in England is defined as exempt accommodation under housing benefit regulation.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason a non-metropolitan county council in England is defined as exempt accommodation under housing benefit regulation.
Housing Benefit regulations contain a landlord definition used to determine whether supported housing and supported living qualifies as specified accommodation. Non-metropolitan county councils in England were included in the definition because these authorities were the only ones who did not administer Housing Benefit.
We continue to keep this under review and are considering ways in which this definition could be improved as we progress work with MHCLG to implement the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act. Any future decision on whether the definition should be changed will be considered in the context of the Government’s missions, including Local Government Reorganisation, as well as goals on housing and the financial environment.