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<p /> <p /> <p> </p><p /> <p>(a) The housing benefit bill was expected to rise above
£25 billion in 2014/15 (£15 billion for the social rented sector alone) prior to the
introduction of the removal of the spare room subsidy.</p><p> </p><p>The Department
estimated the policy would achieve savings of £490 million in 2013/14, £525 million
in 2014/15 and £560 million in 2015/16.</p><p> </p><p>(b) to (d)</p><p> </p><p>The
policy to remove the spare room subsidy introduces not only parity of treatment between
the private and social rented sectors, but encourages more effective use of social
housing stock. It has reduced the number of households who under-occupy their properties,
which has freed up larger homes for those currently on the social housing waiting
list who are living in overcrowded conditions. It also encourages social providers
to take account of local needs and demographic trends when allocating properties and
developing their building programmes. Levels of homelessness acceptances in England
have reduced 7 per cent in the last quarter compared to the same period in the previous
year. This is 65 per cent lower than the peak in 2003.</p><p>The effects of the policy
are being monitored and evaluated over a two-year period from April 2013. Initial
findings will be published before recess and the final report in late 2015.</p><p>
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