§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ensure that(a) charging and (b) means testing are not introduced for those in receipt of housing support services once the new Supporting People arrangements are put into place. [84515]
§ Mr. BrowneI am aware of the hon. Member's desire that everything should be done to avoid the need to introduce charging and means testing for housing support services. I am therefore currently exploring the potential for achieving this. However, it is clear that such a policy could be funded only by removing scarce resources from other spending priorities within the housing budget aimed specifically at improving the lives and general well-being of the most disadvantaged members of Northern Ireland's community.