Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he last assessed the impact of the removal of the spare room subsidy on a) carers, b) disabled people and c) tenants with long-term health conditions; and whether he plans to bring forward proposals to reform the policy.

We continue to keep all policies under review, considering them against a range of factors, including the wider fiscal situation and government priorities.

The Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy, applies to working-age claims for housing support, either Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit, where the claimant is living in the social rented sector in a property that has more bedrooms than their benefit entitlement.

Easements are available which allow an additional bedroom to support disabled people and carers, the families of disabled children, foster carers, parents who adopt, parents of service personnel and people who have suffered a bereavement.

People facing difficulty in meeting their housing costs can apply to their local authority for discretionary support.