Posted by: Isabel Hardman
13/08/2010There are lots of exciting developments this week in our What’s the Benefit? campaign.
First up, after just five weeks, we’ve passed 1,000 signatures on our online petition expressing concern about the impact of the reforms. Then there’s the announcement from the Social Security Advisory Committee, which advises the Work and Pensions secretary on changes to legislation, that it is launching an inquiry into the impact of the coalition government’s reforms to housing benefit . That’s in addition to the Work and Pensions select committee’s own inquiry into housing benefit, announced a few weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Lib Dem deputy leader Simon Hughes has revealed to Inside Housing that he is working with a cross-party group of MPs to come up with alternative reforms to housing benefit in London. He’s not the only politician concerned about the impact of the reforms in London: we also report this week that Boris Johnson has come up with his own plans to prevent a sharp rise in homelessness next April.
This is all very pleasing, but even though our campaign is gaining momentum, there is no change of plan from the government. So we’re now looking for suggestions for alternative reforms to the housing benefit bill. These ideas will form our alternative offer to government, which we plan to present to ministers ahead of October’s comprehensive spending review.
If you’ve got a brilliant idea for cutting the bill without putting quite so many people at risk of homelessness, send it to editorial@insidehousing.co.uk, or post it in the comments below.
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From What's the benefit?
The blog for our What’s the Benefit? campaign, which is calling on the government to find a fairer way to reduce the £21 billion housing benefit bill than its current proposals.
Readers' comments (2)
Jack Davies | 13/08/2010 1:45 pm
Isabel, is the fact that Simon Highes is blinkered and only looking at the impact of these reforms on London, when we all know they will impact nationwide, pleasing?
Boris - for once - is excused this charge as he is only concerned with London in his remit, but Simon Highes' remit is not just London.
Moreover, is the fact that all and sundry ar seeking alternatives to these proposals evidence of (a) Big Society and true involvement and inclusion, or (b) that we all know the coalitions proposals are totally useless?
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Isabel Hardman | 13/08/2010 2:44 pm
Hi Jack,
Good point, although all three MPs do represent London constituencies...
But the reforms are going to be felt all over the country, and that's why our campaign is focusing on the UK and not just London.
Isabel
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