§ Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the impact of the proposed changes to housing benefit for private tenants on sick and disabled people who have an extra bedroom to accommodate an occasional overnight carer. [7562]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellNo such assessment has been made. However, local authorities will have discretion to pay housing benefit above the level of the maximum rent in cases which they judge to involve exceptional hardship.