§ Mr. RooneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evidence he has of the extent of income sharing within couples in receipt of means-tested benefits. [90322]
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§ Angela EagleWe have commissioned a qualitative research study into the financial arrangements of couples on benefit, which should give us a better picture of the arrangements that couples make to manage their benefit income. The results of this study should be available later this year.
The research study builds on a number of previous studies which have explored how resources are allocated within households. We have undertaken a comprehensive review of these studies which will be published in the Autumn.
§ Mr. RooneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to introduce benefit splitting for means-tested benefits. [90321]
§ Angela EagleCurrent rules provide for benefit paid in respect of a family to be paid to the main claimant. However, there are provisions to allow the payment of all or part of the benefit to be paid to a third party, including the claimant's partner, where this is in the interests of the family; for example in cases where the claimant has difficulties in budgeting or suffers from alcohol or drug abuse. We have included provisions in the current Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill to allow these splitting arrangements to apply to hardship payments of Jobseeker' s Allowance, but we have no plans for any further extensions to these arrangements at present.