Under-occupancy Penalty

Jim Shannon Excerpts
Thursday 28th January 2016

(8 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Justin Tomlinson Portrait Justin Tomlinson
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That is absolutely the case.

Jim Shannon Portrait Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)
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In Northern Ireland 66% of Housing Executive tenants and 62% of all working-age housing benefit recipients are under-occupiers. Under the Fresh Start agreement accepted by all parties in Northern Ireland last year, it has been agreed that the moneys to offset the bedroom tax for Northern Ireland will come out of the Northern Ireland block grant. Has the Minister had any discussions with the other devolved Administrations to enable them legally to make similar decisions?

Justin Tomlinson Portrait Justin Tomlinson
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I have not, but that is something I will look at.