§ Mr. Jim MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the effect on the street homelessness of benefit payments to homeless claimants being paid in arrears rather than in advance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloThe arrangements for paying income support in arrears to the majority of recipients under pension age, including homeless people, began only recently on 11 April. It is too early to judge the effects of this change on homeless claimants. Moreover, by their very nature the number of people in this group is difficult to estimate. However, we will monitor any indicators of change, such as representations from organizations dealing with homeless people.