§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will reconsider his decision not to award rent allowances to claimants whose landlord is a close relative;
(2) what is the definition of close relative for the purpose of eligibility for rent allowances;
(3) if he will estimate the number of (a) young people and (b) adults who have moved out of accommodation where the landlord is a close relative, because of non-eligibility for housing benefit, over the last two years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BurtHousing benefit is payable only in respect of a commercial rent liability. Most people living with close relatives do not have a rent liability, but instead made contributions to the household's living costs. It has never been the Government's intention that housing benefit should be payable for such contributions because there is 503W no commercial liability. In this context a close relative is defined in regulations as a parent, parent-in-law, step-parent, child, step-child, child-in-law, brother, sister or the partner of any of the preceding persons. Information about the numbers of people unable to live with their close relatives because of the non-payment of housing benefit could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.