Most Want Government to Tackle Causes Of Housing Benefit Bill

The majority of the British public believe the government should be tackling the root causes of the country’s high housing benefit bill. A survey by the Fabian Society asked people if they agreed with the statement: "The size of the housing benefit bill has risen because there are more people claiming due to unemployment, low wages and rents rising quickly. Instead of planning further cuts, the government should be focusing on solving these underlying problems. The government should do this even if it took a long time and meant tax rises or spending cuts elsewhere."  Some 66% of respondents said they agreed with the statement, while 12% disagreed.  However the research also found that 67% agreed that too much is spent on subsidising housing costs for immigrants and those with too many children, and 58% agreed that housing benefit encourages dependence on the state.  Read more on 24dash.