Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many families in Peterborough constituency are subject to the most recent changes in the welfare benefit cap; and if he will make a statement.

It is estimated that around 200 households in Peterborough constituency will be affected by the lower benefit cap in 2016/17.

Notes:
1. Estimates assume no behavioural responses - any behavioural responses to the lower cap, such as claimants moving into employment, would cause the number of households affected to reduce

2. This figure is rounded to the nearest 100 households
3. The methodology used to estimate the households affected by the cap is consistent with that described in the latest impact assessment published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/welfare-reform-and-work-act-impact-assessment-for-the-benefit-cap

The benefit cap will be lowered from 7th November from £26,000 to £20,000, except in London where it will be lowered to £23,000. To help ensure Local Authorities are able to protect the most vulnerable Housing Benefit claimants and to support households adjusting to our welfare reforms, the Government will provide £870m funding for Discretionary Housing Payments over the next 5 years. Information about this and other measures to ease the transition for families affected by this policy change is included in the latest impact assessment at the link above.