Written Question · S4W-12542 · Session 4
Whether it has asked the UK Government for exemptions from aspects of the proposed housing benefit reforms and, if so, which aspects; when …
The question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has asked the UK Government for exemptions from aspects of the proposed housing benefit reforms and, if so, which aspects; when it asked, and what the outcome was.
The answer
Over the period from 2010 to the present date, the Scottish Government has sought concessions to the UK Government’s housing benefit reforms on numerous occasions since DWP first announced its welfare reforms. These are that:
Responsibility for housing benefit be devolved to the Scottish Parliament
The proposal to reduce housing benefit for benefit recipients unemployed for twelve months or more be withdrawn
The regulations on under-occupation deductions be withdrawn
Under-occupation deductions should not apply where there is no alternative accommodation available
Under-occupation deductions apply only to benefit recipients with two or more spare bedrooms
Vulnerable tenants be safeguarded against direct payments
Working families, disabled people, foster carers and parents who shared responsibility for children be safeguarded from under occupation penalties
The flexibility afforded to the Northern Ireland Assembly on direct payments be extended to the Scottish Parliament
People living in supported exempt accommodation be exempt from the benefits cap
The UK Government increases its discretionary housing payments allocation to local authorities.
Over the same period, DWP withdrew the proposal to reduce housing benefit for benefit recipients unemployed for twelve months or more; and decided to maintain current arrangements for covering the housing costs of benefit recipients in supported exempt accommodation for the next one to two years.
In respect of direct payments, DWP has committed to provide budgeting support and make payment exceptions to a proportion of tenants. It has funded six direct payment demonstration projects to inform practice on direct payments. We are closely monitoring progress in this area.
Although DWP has increased the discretionary housing payment (DHPs) budget, this constitutes less than 4% of the overall cuts to housing benefit. In respect of under-occupation, DWP intends that local authorities prioritise DHPs to people living in substantially adapted accommodation and foster/kinship carers.
The Scottish Government and Scottish housing stakeholders continue to engage with DWP to seek to influence the UK Government’s welfare reforms.
Responsibility for housing benefit be devolved to the Scottish Parliament
The proposal to reduce housing benefit for benefit recipients unemployed for twelve months or more be withdrawn
The regulations on under-occupation deductions be withdrawn
Under-occupation deductions should not apply where there is no alternative accommodation available
Under-occupation deductions apply only to benefit recipients with two or more spare bedrooms
Vulnerable tenants be safeguarded against direct payments
Working families, disabled people, foster carers and parents who shared responsibility for children be safeguarded from under occupation penalties
The flexibility afforded to the Northern Ireland Assembly on direct payments be extended to the Scottish Parliament
People living in supported exempt accommodation be exempt from the benefits cap
The UK Government increases its discretionary housing payments allocation to local authorities.
Over the same period, DWP withdrew the proposal to reduce housing benefit for benefit recipients unemployed for twelve months or more; and decided to maintain current arrangements for covering the housing costs of benefit recipients in supported exempt accommodation for the next one to two years.
In respect of direct payments, DWP has committed to provide budgeting support and make payment exceptions to a proportion of tenants. It has funded six direct payment demonstration projects to inform practice on direct payments. We are closely monitoring progress in this area.
Although DWP has increased the discretionary housing payment (DHPs) budget, this constitutes less than 4% of the overall cuts to housing benefit. In respect of under-occupation, DWP intends that local authorities prioritise DHPs to people living in substantially adapted accommodation and foster/kinship carers.
The Scottish Government and Scottish housing stakeholders continue to engage with DWP to seek to influence the UK Government’s welfare reforms.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-12542 by reference.