Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Williams and Bridget Phillipson

Monday 20th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) (Lab)]

In 2015 Ministers will take on responsibility from the Department for Work and Pensions for hardship funding delivered by local councils. What discussions have taken place with Ministers at the DWP so that the vulnerable are not hit the hardest once again when the change takes effect?

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

The Department for Work and Pensions has transferred £175 million for the current year to meet those obligations, and £172 million for next year. The expectation for subsequent years is that local authorities will find those funds from within their own budgets. Of course, with the recovering economy, we hope there will be less demand.