The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) determines the maximum housing support for tenants in the private rented sector.<\/p>
<\/p>
Households in similar circumstances living in the same area are entitled to the same maximum rent allowance regardless of the contractual rent paid. LHA rates do not cover all rents in all areas.<\/p>
<\/p>
Any decisions on LHA in 25/26 need to be taken in the context of the Government\u2019s missions, housing priorities and the fiscal context. LHA rates were restored to the 30th<\/sup> percentile of local market rents from April 2024, at a cost of £1.2bn in 2024/25 and £7bn over five years.<\/p> <\/p> For those who need further support, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available from local authorities.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/163", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Ham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sir Stephen Timms"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-04T15:48:41.837Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-08-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Local Housing Allowance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her policy to ensure local housing allowance keeps pace with median rent prices.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4126", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mary Glindon"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mary Glindon"}
], "uin" : "2895"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1725777", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1725777/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Any decisions on the Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy policy need to be taken in the context of the Government\u2019s missions, housing priorities, and the fiscal context.<\/p> <\/p> Those unable to meet a shortfall in their rent can seek a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) from their local authority. DHPs can be paid to those entitled to Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/163", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Ham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sir Stephen Timms"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-04T15:51:12.03Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-08-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to review the removal of the spare room subsidy.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4500", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Clive Lewis"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Norwich South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Clive Lewis"}
], "uin" : "2957"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1725898", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1725898/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " We recognise the challenges carers are facing and we are determined to provide unpaid carers with the support they need and deserve.<\/p> <\/p> With respect to overpayments of Carer\u2019s Allowance, we are moving quickly to understand exactly what has gone wrong so we can set out our plan to put things right.<\/p> <\/p> Claimants have a responsibility to report change of circumstances as they happen. Customers taking action as soon as possible, to let the department know of a change will reduce the number and size of overpayments.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/163", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Ham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sir Stephen Timms"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-05T10:39:19.027Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-08-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Carer's Allowance: Overpayments"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to reduce the (a) number and (b) size of Carer's Allowance overpayments.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4765", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Wendy Chamberlain"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Fife"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Wendy Chamberlain"}
], "uin" : "3105"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1725899", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1725899/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Secretary of State undertakes a statutory annual review of benefit and pensions, and the value of Carer\u2019s Allowance is protected by up-rating it each year in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI).<\/p> <\/p> This government will keep eligibility criteria and processes of Carer\u2019s Allowance under review, to see if it is meeting its objectives.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/163", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Ham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sir Stephen Timms"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-05T10:45:29.523Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-08-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Carer's Allowance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to review the (a) level, (b) eligibility criteria and (c) processes of Carer's Allowance.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4765", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Wendy Chamberlain"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Fife"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Wendy Chamberlain"}
], "uin" : "3106"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1726402", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1726402/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Individuals can apply for Access to Work assistance either online via Gov.UK or by telephone on 0800 121 7479. Once the application is assigned to a Case Manager, the customer is provided with the direct contact details of their personal case manager for the duration of the decision-making process.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4083", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alison McGovern"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birkenhead"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alison McGovern"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-04T10:33:59.827Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-08-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Access to Work Programme"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether Access to Work applicants can contact that service in writing", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5234", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham Northfield"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Laurence Turner"}
], "uin" : "3558"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1724265", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1724265/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " EEA and Swiss citizens with pre-settled status have the same access to benefits as they did prior to the UK leaving the EU. They will be able to access income-related public fund benefits, such as Universal Credit, if they are exercising a qualifying right to reside in the UK, for example by being a worker. This is similar to the rules for UK citizens residing in EU member states on the basis of the Withdrawal Agreement. The eligibility of claimants with pre-settled status is verified through the Habitual Residence Test.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4979", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Western"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stretford and Urmston"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Western"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-04T10:29:09.413Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universal Credit: EU Nationals"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to enable EU citizens with pre-settled status to claim universal credit.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/55", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Desmond Swayne"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "New Forest West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Desmond Swayne"}
], "uin" : "2225"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1724281", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1724281/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "