MPs to scrutinise housing benefit changes

The work and pensions committee announced yesterday that it will examine the implications of reforms unveiled in the emergency Budget in June.

The committee is particularly interested in the impact of the changes on levels of evictions, homelessness services, older people, large families and overcrowding, and shortfalls in rent.

This announcement follows the publication of the Department for Work and Pensions’ impact assessment into the changes, which admits that 100 per cent of local housing allowance recipients will bit hit by changes to the way the benefit is calculated and the amount of money that can be paid.

David Salusbury, chairman of the National Landlords Association, welcomed the inquiry, and said: ‘While we all realise the necessity for public spending cuts, the actual impact of potential changes on the lives of tenants and landlords up and down the UK has yet to be fully investigated.

‘We welcome the opportunity to provide evidence demonstrating just how damaging this package of changes could be.’

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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