The Budget: Housing Changes

From April 2017, those out of work between the ages of 18 and 21 will not be automatically entitled to claim housing benefit. Parents whose children live with them will be excluded from this measure. Vulnerable groups will also be excluded, as will claimants who have been in continuous work for the preceding six months. As many as 300,000 fewer people are expected to be eligible for Universal Credit as a result of the changes. Higher earners will have to pay more in rent for social housing. Those earning more than £30,000 (£40,000 in London) will have to make a bigger contribution if they live in council or housing association property. However, for everybody, rents will be reduced by 1% a year for four years from 2016. Read more on the BBC website.