Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support his Department provides to ex-service personnel who face the under-occupancy charge.

The policy to remove the spare room subsidy applies to all working age Housing Benefit and Universal Credit claimants living in and under-occupying social housing without exception.

A couple of easements apply. For example an extra bedroom is provided for those who require overnight care from a non-resident carer and for couples who are unable to share a bedroom due to disabilities.

Since 2011, the Government has provided local authorities with around £900 million in Discretionary Housing Payment funding to support vulnerable Housing Benefit and Universal Credit claimants who are unable to mitigate the impact of welfare housing reforms.