§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the impact of the single room rent provision for those aged under 25 years on (i) rent arrears and (ii) homelessness, on that age group. [68702]
§ Angela EagleTogether with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Department has commissioned the London Research Centre to investigate Housing Benefit and the private rented sector. The study includes interviews with young people who have had their Housing Benefit restricted under the single room rent (SRR) rules, as well as with other tenants, landlords, Housing Benefit Officers and Rent Officers. The study has been conducted in six case study areas and will provide evidence on the effects of the SRR and on rent arrears, though not directly on homelessness, which is difficult to establish. The report is expected to be published in the Spring.
The Department has received a number of reports from outside organisations which present findings of studies into the impact of the single room rent provision. These reports are localised and they vary in their scope and quality. All these reports, together with the findings of a study funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, are being considered by the Department.
§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals have been subject to the single room rent provision for those aged under 25 years in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [68699]
779W
§ Angela EagleThe information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.
As at 31 May 1997, 29,000 individuals aged under 25 years were subject to the single room rent provision, and of these 16,000 had their rent restricted. The May 1998 data will be published at the end of this month.
Source:
Housing Benefit Management Information System annual 1 per cent. sample taken at the end of May 1997.
§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what representations he has received on the single room rent provision for those aged under 25 years; [68706]
(2) what plans he has to review the single room rent provision for those aged under 25 years; and if he will make a statement; [68700]
(3) what plans he has to meet with welfare and voluntary sector organisations to discuss the single room rent provision for under 25 year olds. [68826]
§ Angela EagleRepresentations about the single room rent (SRR) provision for under 25 year olds have been received from hon. Members, members of the public and a variety of voluntary and charitable organisations. We are reviewing with the Local Authority Associations the Housing Benefit rules with a view to simplifying and improving the scheme. The SRR rules form part of that review. We have already met with a number of these organisations to invite their views.
§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what assessment he has made of the impact of the single room rent provision for those aged under 25 years on the take-up of employment by that group; [68703]
(2) what assessment he has made of the level of housing benefit fraud linked to the single room rent provision for those aged under 25 years; [68701]
(3) what assessment has been made of the number of persons who have changed accommodation as a result of the single room rent provision for those aged under 25 years. [68707]
§ Angela EagleThe information is not available.