Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have considered piloting changes to Universal Credit taper rates for young people in supported housing; and what options they are considering to assist people living in supported housing to take on more paid work.

People on a low income living in Supported Housing or Temporary Accommodation, receive Universal Credit for help with their daily living costs and Housing Benefit for help with their housing costs. Customers living in Supported Housing are also able to access higher levels of housing support through Housing Benefit.

The Department for Work and Pensions acknowledges there is a challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those living in Supported and Temporary Accommodation and receiving their housing support through Housing Benefit.

We are considering options to improve work incentives for residents of supported housing and temporary accommodation, while taking into account the views of stakeholders. Any future decisions on housing support will be made in the round, prioritising measures that best meet Government objectives within the current fiscal environment.

It remains the department’s priority to ensure that those who can work are supported to enter the labour market and to sustain employment.