§ Ms Oona KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of private rented sector tenants have had their entitlement to housing benefit restricted as a result of(a) local reference rent determinations and (b) single room rent determinations in each rent service area in the past 12 months. [34551]
§ Malcolm WicksThe information is not available.
§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on what basis a student loan is classed as income for students applying for housing benefit. [36060]
§ Malcolm WicksSupport for full-time students is generally provided through the educational maintenance system which is designed for their needs. However some full-time students in vulnerable groups, such as lone parents or disabled people, are eligible to claim income-related benefits, including housing benefit, in recognition of their extra needs.
As with other people claiming income related benefits any income a student has is taken into account when assessing entitlement to benefit. Since a student loan is intended to help towards everyday living costs it is taken into account as income. However, before the weekly income is assessed £319 of the annual loan is disregarded towards the cost of travel and £260 towards the cost of books and equipment. In addition, any grants made specifically for these costs are disregarded in full. Once the weekly loan income has been calculated a further£10 a week is disregarded.
To treat student loans in any other way would put students in a better position than people who have no access to these resources.