Welfare Reform Bill

moved AmendmentNo. 107A: 107A: Clause 35 , page 30, line 2, at end insert— ““(3A) In respect of determining the local housing allowance the rent officer, upon request, shall make available within a reasonable period the evidence and data used to calculate the local housing allowance. (3B) In respect of determining the broad rental market area or areas in relation to a local authority the rent officer, upon request, shall make available within a reasonable period the evidence and data used to determine the broad rental market area or areas. (3C) In respect of determining the broad rental market area or areas the rent officer shall consult with the relevant local authority or authorities on the boundaries and extent of that area or areas. (3D) Consultation shall be undertaken under subsection (3C) in such manner and form and in accordance with such requirements as may be specified in directions given by the Secretary of State. (3E) In this section ““broad rental market area”” means an area— (a) comprising two or more distinct areas of residential accommodation, each distinct area of residential accommodation adjoining at least one other in the area; (b) within which a person could reasonably be expected to live having regard to facilities and services for the purposes of health, education, recreation, personal banking and shopping, taking account of the distance of travel, by public and private transport, to and from facilities and services of the same type and similar standard; and (c) containing residential premises of a variety of types, and including such premises held on a variety of tenancies.”” The noble Lord said: In speaking to this amendment—in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Best, as well as my noble friend Lord Skelmersdale and me—I shall raise some points arising from the reform of the local housing allowance. In general, we support the reforms. The new system, basing an entitlement to housing benefit solely on the area people are living in and the size of the household, is considerably simpler than the old one. Pilots havealso suggested a significant drop in shortfalls between benefit received and actual rent, both in the number of people suffering a shortfall and in the average amount of a shortfall, both of which are good news. However, the new system has raised some concerns which I shall probe today. There have been many comments on the size of the broad market rent areas, which often, and most likely will, encompass more than one local authority. The inclusion of areas of housing of very different prices in one rent area has resulted in some areas within a rent area being completely unaffordable to any recipients of housing benefit. That would seem contrary to the Government’s stated aim of ensuring mixed and sustainable communities. The problem is particularly acute where both a town and the surrounding countryside are included in one broad market rent area. In this case, the rural accommodation available to those collecting housing benefit, already often difficult to rent due to lack of availability, is likely to become completely unaffordable. The rent areas are, of course, decided by the rent officer, who is hired by the department in England, or the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly in those areas. He is not hired by the local authorities who have to live with the consequences of his decision. Our amendment therefore seeks to make his role and decisions more transparent, allowing discrepancies and over-zealousness in excluding unusually high rents to be identified and moderated, to ensure that a fair housing allowance is reached. He would also have to consult the local authorities to ensure that he is aware of any local concerns they might have about the inclusion or exclusion of certain areas. The Government have already indicated to some organisations that such liaison should take place. It would be helpful to hear that the Government are taking steps to ensure that it happens in future. This liaison should include not just the housing benefit officers, who I understand are generally consulted anyway, but other officers with housing responsibilities. I look forward to hearing what the Minister says on the reforms and the measures that the Government are taking to address my concerns. I beg to move.