Duncan Smith: Housing Benefit Reforms 'Under Review'

Elements of the Government's planned housing benefit reforms are "under review", according to Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith. MPs were told a proposal to cut housing benefit payments by 10% when claimants have been on Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for more than a year would remain under consideration until legislation is finalised early next year.
But Mr Duncan Smith said there was international evidence the plan would achieve its aim of getting people back into work. Ministers have come under pressure to rethink the package of housing benefit changes - which also includes a £400-a-week cap and reducing Local Housing Allowance rates - but David Cameron has vowed to press ahead. During Commons question time, Labour's Anne Begg (Aberdeen South) urged Mr Duncan Smith to reconsider the JSA proposal - particularly in light of plans to evict new social housing tenants if their financial circumstances improve. Mr Duncan Smith replied: "We certainly keep all of this under review and we intend to keep it under review all the way through to the (Welfare Reform) Bill (due to be published in January). Read more on 24dash.