Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Paul Masterton and Will Quince

Monday 13th May 2019 Commons Chamber

[Paul Masterton (East Renfrewshire) (Con)]

4. What steps the Government are taking to support young vulnerable adults in receipt of universal credit who live in supported accommodation.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Will Quince)]

As announced in August last year, housing costs for all claimants in supported housing, including universal credit claimants, will continue to be met through housing benefit. Maintaining housing benefit for all supported housing reflects the particular needs of these vulnerable groups.

[Paul Masterton]

I welcome the Minister to his new role. However, is he aware of an issue with the Universal Credit Regulations 2013, which refer only to English county councils as relevant bodies? Supported accommodation provided by Scottish local authorities is not covered, even though those living in identical circumstances in accommodation in England will be covered and so will still be subject to housing benefit. Will he meet me to discuss the matter?

[Will Quince]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question. He is a passionate campaigner, and I recognise that that is a specific constituency issue. There is no difference in how English lower-tier local authorities and Scottish local authorities are treated within the regulations. Amendments to the regulations were introduced in 2014 to extend the protection to other supported housing, which was not previously included and was most likely to be affected by the welfare reforms. However, I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss this complex issue further.