§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the treatment of long-stay hospital patients in receipt of income support with respect to mortgage interest payments.
§ Mr. ScottIncome support help with mortgage interest could continue for up to 52 weeks in such circumstances. This is in line with the rules for others on housing benefit or income support who are temporarily absent from their homes. It would not be right to use public funds to subsidise empty housing indefinitely.