Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the consultation undertaken by her Department in advance of the Rent Officers (Housing Benefit and Universal Credit functions) (Local Housing Allowance Amendments) Order 2013, if she will seek the views of (a) the Social Security Advisory Committee, (b) local authorities and (c) the Valuation Office Agency on the potential effect of the proposed freeze on Local Housing Allowance rates at 2020-21 levels from 1 April 2022 on private tenants.

We consult with rent officers from the Valuation Office Agency and the Rent Services in Scotland and Wales throughout the year.

The Social Security Advisory Committee will be advised of any legislation changes to the Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions) Order 1997, the Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions) Scotland Order 1997 and the Rent Officers (Universal Credit Functions) Order 2013 and local authorities will be advised of the Local Housing Allowance rates for 2022/23 in due course.