Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Williams and Pamela Nash

Monday 21st October 2013 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Williams]

I, too, welcome the hon. Lady to her post.

I would not presume to advise an individual at all; each individual must make up their own mind about how they will adapt to a change in circumstances. I advise local authorities, housing associations and local advice bureaux to work holistically with each tenant affected by the policy, and to consider what advice and support can be given so that they can transition to the new arrangements.

[Pamela Nash (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab)]

14. What assessment he has made of the availability of smaller properties for people affected by the under-occupancy penalty.

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

18. What assessment he has made of the availability of smaller properties for people affected by the under-occupancy penalty.

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

The Department and the Homes and Communities Agency publish information annually on the number of social rented properties by size, and during the year the number of properties available for letting will vary.

[Pamela Nash]

I welcome the Minister to his new position, but I must say that that answer was rather vague. It has been reported that there are enough one and two-bedroom social housing properties for only 4% of those affected by the bedroom tax. Does the Minister expect the other 96% of those affected to go into private lets? If so, will that not send housing benefit payments shooting upwards, rather than cutting them?

[Stephen Williams]

Clearly, the implementation of this policy will take a while, and each tenant must weigh up their own circumstances and consider how they adapt. As I said previously, I expect local authorities to work with all housing providers in an area, including the private sector—in my constituency more people rent in the private sector than in the public sector—and consider the best use of stock and what assistance is most appropriate for the individual.