Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Universal Credit: Housing Element

Monday 31 October 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris Grayling asked the Minister to review the calculation of the housing element of universal credit.
  • Chris Grayling highlighted the challenge in constituencies inside the M25 where local housing allowance does not sufficiently support people.
  • The Minister acknowledged the issue and noted that additional support such as discretionary housing payments through local authorities is available.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Grayling Con
Housing Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question arises from concerns about the adequacy of local housing allowance rates for constituents to secure private rented accommodation.

Question

If he will review the calculation of the housing element of universal credit. The challenge in a constituency such as mine in the south-east and inside the M25 is that, even when the Government are spending a substantial amount of money on housing support, the local housing allowance simply does not enable people to get into private rented accommodation.

Answer from Guy Opperman

My right hon. Friend is a doughty campaigner on this issue. He will be aware, though, that it cannot be looked at in isolation and that we must look at the additional support available such as discretionary housing payments through the local authority—they are worth up to £1.5 billion overall across all local authorities—as well as the cost of living support package of £37 billion-plus and the household support fund, which again is administered by local authorities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Reviewing the calculation of the housing element in universal credit specifically

How: Must Look At It In Isolation

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Q2 Chris Grayling Con
Housing
Context

Concerns persist about the local housing allowance not allowing individuals to secure private rented accommodation despite significant government spending.

Question

I congratulate the new ministerial team on their appointment. The challenge in a constituency such as mine in the south-east and inside the M25 is that, even when the Government are spending a substantial amount of money on housing support, the local housing allowance simply does not enable people to get into private rented accommodation. Will my hon. Friend and his colleagues look again at how local housing allowance is structured and allocated across the country to try to ensure that it works everywhere?

Answer from Guy Opperman

My right hon. Friend is a doughty campaigner on this issue. He will be aware, though, that it cannot be looked at in isolation and that we must look at the additional support available such as discretionary housing payments through the local authority—they are worth up to £1.5 billion overall across all local authorities—as well as the cost of living support package of £37 billion-plus and the household support fund, which again is administered by local authorities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Reviewing how local housing allowance is structured and allocated across the country

How: Must Look At It In Isolation

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