Betts' concerned letter to Minister

A Sheffield MP has written to DWP Minister Justin Tomlinson to clarify the Government's position on the payment of housing benefits to new tenants in supported accommodation from April.

By The Newsroom

Published 29th Jan 2016, 12:59 BST

Updated 29th Jan 2016, 13:04 BST

Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South East, contacted Mr Tomlinson following an exchange with the Minister and the CLG Minister Brandon Lewis in the Commons last week, which he felt left many questions unanswered on the future of supported housing.

Clive said: “There is a real worry that the Government proposals for supported housing makes the future for vulnerable people, such as women fleeing domestic who are need in of such accommodation, very uncertain.

“If the cuts go ahead as planned it will leave SYHA with a hole in their budget of £2.93 million, which will mean that they won’t be able to provide supported housing.

“What remains unclear to myself is what will happen to housing benefit for new tenancies in supported accommodation from April of this year, The Government indicated they are reviewing the situation; I’ve written to Justin Tomlinson.”