Oral Answers to Questions

Helen Goodman Excerpts

Monday 4th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Brandon Lewis)]

The short answer is yes, I am happy to.

[Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab)]

At the moment, people from some eastern European countries are entitled to housing benefit and council tax benefit, but not to income-related jobseeker’s allowance. Following the localisation of council tax benefit, will those people be entitled to that benefit or will it be a matter of discretion for each local authority?

[Mr Pickles]

It is entirely localised; it is a matter for local councils to determine.