§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what representations he has received regarding his plans for reductions in housing benefit for short-sentence prisoners; [14780]
(2) what safeguards he plans to impose to prevent released short-term prisoners from becoming homeless. [14781]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThis Department has consulted the Social Security Advisory Committee and the local authority associations about proposals for restricting the payment of housing benefit to convicted prisoners to 13 weeks. We have also received a number of representations from other organisations, including the Probation Services, the Scottish Council for Single Mothers, Shelter, citizens advice bureaux, Bury Accommodation Forum and the North West Landlords Association and from some members of the public. The amendment regulations were laid before Parliament on 10 March and come into effect from 1 April 1995.
Housing benefit will be available to prisoners serving up to 13 weeks, after allowance for any remission, and to all ex-prisoners following their release from prison who have a liability to pay rent. Where a partner remains in the home, housing benefit will continue to be available during the period of absence without restriction.