4 July 2011

Leaked letter expresses concerns over the Government’s welfare reform plans

Posted in: Housing benefits

Responding to the leaked civil service letter expressing concerns over the Government’s welfare reform plans, Gavin Smart, assistant director of the National Housing Federation, said:

“We share the concerns raised in the letter and have repeatedly warned the Government that its welfare reforms will lead to a surge in homelessness. Families will be amongst the hardest hit as the cap takes no account of the huge variation in housing costs across the country. 

“The Communities and Local Government Department rightly identifies that the benefit cap will also reduce the number of family homes which are built over the next four years. At a time of record waiting lists this is something we as a country simply cannot afford to let happen.

“Ministers must revisit their proposals on the benefits cap and make a public commitment that thousands of vulnerable people will not be forced out of their homes.”