Andrew Bridgen
Main Page: Andrew Bridgen (Independent - North West Leicestershire)
Stephen Williams
The figures I gave in the earlier answer were for the year before the spare room subsidy withdrawal—they are the most recent comprehensive, across-England figures we have. Through the Homes and Communities Agency, the Department has surveyed all the large housing associations. They tell us that, at the moment, rent collection levels are in excess of 95% and well within their published business plans.
Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)
Will the Minister confirm that, of the £68 million of discretionary housing payments made available to councils last year, £11 million went unspent?
Stephen Williams
My hon. Friend makes an interesting point on discretionary housing payments for last year. Of course, last year those payments were in place to deal with differences in the private rental sector. I wish Opposition Members would remember that the Labour Government introduced tight controls on the funding of spare bedrooms in the private rental sector. Some 43% of people in my constituency rent in the private rental sector. I do not recall much protest from Labour Members at that time.