The Household Benefit Cap - Commons Library Standard Note

The Housing Benefit (Benefit Cap) Regulations 2012 introduced the cap on household benefits from 15 April 2013 in the London boroughs of Croydon, Enfield, Haringey and Bromley. National roll-out was managed over a 10 week period split into two tranches:

• Tranche 1 included all local authorities with 275 affected households or fewer - capping commenced in these areas on 15 July 2013;

• Tranche 2 included all local authorities with 276 or more households to be capped and commenced from the week of 12 August 2013.

The Universal Credit Regulations 2013 provide for an overall benefit cap within Universal Credit (UC). UC is being phased in between October 2013 and 2017.  The note explains how the cap operates and summarises reactions to it, including attempts to amend the cap as the Welfare Reform Act progressed through the House of Lords. Download a copy of the note from the Parliament website.

Allocating Social Housing (England)

Local authorities have always had a good deal of discretion in relation to their housing allocation policies; this discretion has been extended by measures included in the Localism Act 2011.  Following a consultation exercise, the Government issued new statutory guidance, Allocation of accommodation: Guidance for local housing authorities in England in June 2012. Authorities are obliged to have regard to this guidance when devising and implementing their schemes. The Government intends to consult on guidance that “will ensure councils require people to have lived in the area for at least 2 years” before being able to register on a housing waiting list.  In the meantime, the Government has issued a Standard Note setting out the legal framework within which local authorities allocate their housing stock. Download a copy of the Note from the Parliament website.

Stimulating Housing Supply - Government Initiatives

This Commons Library Standard Note outlines key Government measures aimed at stimulating housing supply.  It explains, amongst other things;

Affordable Housing Programme

New Homes Bonus

The Growing Places Fund

The Get Britain Building Fund

Build now, pay later

Right to Buy

Private rented housing

REITs, and various first buy and other home ownership issues.  Download a copy of the paper from the House of Commons Library.

EU Migrants: Entitlement to Housing Assistance

This Commons Library Standard Note gives an overview of EU migrants' entitlement to social housing in England and considers the question of whether these people 'jump the housing queue.'  Download a copy of the note form the House of Commons website.