§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the statement of Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish (HL Deb, 30 November 1994, col. 646), which categories of people with exceptional reasons for being absent from home beyond 13 weeks will retain entitlement to housing benefit; whether these categories allow the flexibility to provide for unforseen cases; and what consultations are in progress on the subject.
§ Lord Mackay of ArdbrecknishProposals for amending the rules for the payment of housing benefit in respect of housing costs on empty properties provide, subject to certain qualifying conditions, for benefit to be paid for up to the first 13 weeks of a person's temporary absence from home, and for up to 52 weeks in prescribed circumstances. The proposed circumstances are:
- prisoners held on remand;
- hospital in-patients;
- persons away from home for medically approved treatment or convalescence for themselves or dependants;
- persons providing or receiving medically approved care;
- persons receiving care in residential accommodation;
- persons undertaking a training course;
- persons in remunerative work in the UK.
It is intended to retain the current flexibility which enables benefit to be awarded for 52 weeks even though the period of absence exceeds the normally permitted maximum of 52 weeks.
The proposals have been put to the Social Security Advisory Committee and the local authority associations. The Social Security Advisory Committee have decided to consult with interested bodies and are due to report to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State early in 1995.