Oral Answers to Questions

Meg Hillier Excerpts

Monday 27th January 2020 Commons Chamber

[Dr Coffey]

As the hon. Gentleman knows, it already can be.

[Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/Co-op)]

One of the real concerns in my constituency is the inability of people who want to rent to do so privately with the money that is available. Will the Secretary of State look at local housing allowance rates to ensure that families who could be living in the private sector—because they cannot obtain social housing—are not living in single hostel rooms, as many of my constituents have been for many years?

[Dr Coffey]

I am sure that the hon. Lady will welcome the increase in the local housing allowance from April 2020. I am conscious of the fact that two thirds of the people who are homeless are in London, and I really wish that the Mayor of London and his devolved authorities would get on and help to sort this out.