Benefit plans concern Lib Dem deputy

Simon Hughes said the government should think carefully about how they implement the reforms.

In an interview with the Evening Standard newspaper Mr Hughes said he was concerned about plans to limit local housing allowance to between £250 and £400 depending on property size and to cut housing benefit by 10 per cent for those who have been claiming jobseeker’s allowance for a year.

He said: ‘We absolutely have to make sure that people don’t get thrown out because they have tried but they haven’t been able to find work.’

A spokesperson for the Lib Dems said Mr Hughes was speaking as a London MP and his comments did not reflect official Lib Dem policy. He denied there is a split in the coalition over the issue.

Mr Hughes’ comments come just days after London mayor Boris Johnson warned that the LHA changes could lead to increased levels of rent arrears and evictions and higher levels of homelessness.

He has written a joint letter with Jules Pipe, chair of London Councils, asking work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith for special ‘transitional arrangements’ for the capital.

Richard Blakeway, Mr Johnson’s housing advisor, said the measures could include higher caps for more expensive boroughs or for households with children.

Inside Housing is running a campaign calling for a fairer way to cut the housing benefit bill. Visit our What’s the Benefit? page for more information or sign our petition to support the campaign.

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