Oral Answers to Questions

Mary Glindon Excerpts

Monday 8th February 2016 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab)]

1. What assessment he has made of the potential effect of planned reductions in social rents and housing benefit support on the provision of supported housing.

[Peter Dowd (Bootle) (Lab)]

18. What assessment he has made of the potential effect of planned reductions in social rents and housing benefit support on the provision of supported housing.

[The Minister for Housing and Planning (Brandon Lewis)]

I associate myself and my colleagues on the Government Benches with your comments, Mr Speaker. Harry Harpham was a very distinguished long-serving councillor and we will all miss him in the years ahead.

This Government have always been clear that the most vulnerable will be protected and supported through our welfare reforms. Following our review of supported housing, due to report this spring, we will work with the sector to ensure appropriate protections are in place.

[Mary Glindon]

I, too, associate myself with the sad sentiments that have been expressed about our dear colleague.

The Minister says that the review will report in spring. It was due to report at the end of last year. Meanwhile, the Secretary of State is still pressing ahead with cuts before the review comes out. Can the Minister say why that is?

[Brandon Lewis]

As the hon. Lady may have heard in the recent Opposition day debate, we have always been very clear that the most vulnerable in our society will be protected. We will also ensure a fair settlement for taxpayers.