Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of changes to the way housing benefit is issued on the number of claimants renting from private landlords.

No such assessment has been made. Housing Support for claimants living in the Private Rented Sector has been paid directly to the claimant, rather than the landlord, since 2008 when LHA was introduced.

We strongly encourage landlords and agents to consider all potential and existing tenants in receipt of Housing Support on an individual basis, as everyone deserves a safe and secure home, regardless of whether they are in receipt of benefits.