§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will bring forward proposals to extend the payment of housing benefit following the death of the claimant to cover a period when the deceased's affairs are being dealt with by family or representatives.
§ Mr. BurtThe purpose of housing benefit is to help claimants to meet their liability to pay rent. We therefore have no plans to extend payment of housing benefit to cover a period after a claimant's death.