Oral Answers to Questions

Alison Seabeck Excerpts

Wednesday 30th January 2013 Commons Chamber

The Prime Minister was asked—

[Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab)]

Q1. If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 30 January.

[The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron)]

This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, and in addition to my duties in the House I shall have further such meetings later today.

[Alison Seabeck]

Is it right that a mother in my constituency may not, because of the Prime Minister’s bedroom tax—and as confirmed by his Minister—be able offer her son, serving in Her Majesty’s armed forces, either a home or a bedroom on his return from duty?

[The Prime Minister]

I will happily look at the case that the hon. Lady mentions, but our reforms to housing benefit have a clear principle at their heart. There are many people in private rented accommodation who do not have housing benefit and cannot afford extra bedrooms. We have to get control of housing benefit. We are now spending, as a country, £23 billion on housing benefit, and we have to get that budget under control.