Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many people are affected by the under-occupancy charge, what is the financial impact of the charge on those people, and what plans they have to end or reduce that impact.

As of February 2024, 476,000 households in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing element were subject to a removal of spare room subsidy (RSRS) deduction.

The RSRS deductions are based on the claimant's eligible rent for those in the social rented sector. There is a 14 percent reduction for those with one extra bedroom and a 25 percent reduction for those with two or more extra bedrooms. The average weekly deduction for households with one extra bedroom is £15 and £29 for those with two or more extra bedrooms.

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

Those unable to meet a shortfall in their rent can seek a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) from their local authority. DHPs can be paid to those entitled to Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.

Any future decisions on this policy will be taken in the context of the Government’s missions, goals on housing, and the fiscal context.