AQW 484/16-21

Mr Andy Allen MBE
Ulster Unionist Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 02/06/2016
Answered On Date: 16/06/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on plans to apply Local Housing Allowances to the social rented sector.

Answer:

I am aware of the Chancellor’s announcement in the Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015, which states that the UK Government intends to introduce Local Housing Allowance rules to the social rented sector. Social sector rents have been increasing at faster rate than the equivalent rents in the private sector across Great Britain.

I have asked my Officials to examine social sector and private sector rent levels here, as well as any impacts the introduction of an equivalent measure may have. No decision will be taken until this scoping exercise is complete.