Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the effect of trends in the level of Local Housing Allowance on the affordability of local rents for private renters.

In April 2020 we boosted investment in the Local Housing Allowance by nearly £1 billion and rates have been maintained at their increased level in 2021/22 and 2022/23. This increase was worth over an extra £600 on average in 2020-21 for 1.5 million claimants.

Government recognises that some private renters may need additional support. For those who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) are available from local authorities. Since 2011 the Government has provided almost £1.6 billion in DHP funding to local authorities.