Housing Benefit: Withdrawing Entitlement From the Under 25s

In his speech on welfare given at Bluewater, Kent on 25 June 2012, the Prime Minister presented a number of ideas for future benefit reforms. The proposals for consideration included removing access to Housing Benefit for people aged 16-24. The Chancellor made reference to the need to find an additional £10bn in savings from the welfare bill during his speech to the Conservative Party Conference 2012 – he went on to question whether young people who have never worked should have access to independent housing. This Commons Library Standard Note considers the status of this proposal, evidence on its potential impact, and provides early comment from housing organisations and those working with young homeless people. Download the note from the Parliament website.