Housing Benefit – Parliamentary Written Answer

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has considered enabling self-contained studios and bedsits to qualify for the local housing allowance shared accommodation rate.
Steve Webb: The shared accommodation rate limits the level of financial help available from housing benefit rather than deciding what type of property a person can live in. The one bedroom shared accommodation rate is based on the rents of one bedroom properties, excluding anything self contained but including all other one room lettings. While the level at which it is set will be influenced by the rents of bedsits, the rents of studio flats would have no influence as they are self-contained. However, this does not mean that all self-contained accommodation will be unaffordable. Some cheaper self-contained studios or bedsits may have rents that are at or below the shared accommodation rate, and others may be affordable if the claimant is able to make up any shortfall from other sources of income.