Benefit cuts
Since benefit rates (“local housing allowance”) started being reduced last April, three times more private rents have increased than decreased in Scotland.
The real impact will be felt from this month onwards, as the cycle of annual entitlement reviews starts. Thousands of tenants will now face a cut in their benefit and, therefore, real difficulty in paying their rent.
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Hide AdIt is one thing for the coalition government to reduce housing benefit as part of its welfare reforms. But Mr Cameron needs to face the consequences of his government’s actions rather than mislead parliament over the impact the cuts are having.
Jim Strang
Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland
Princes Street, Edinburgh