Employed tenants could have their housing benefit cut if they do not work enough hours and do not look for more or better paid work. Iain Duncan Smith, work and pensions secretary, announced that under plans in the welfare reform bill, some claimants would be expected to take up full-time employment or work longer hours to stop them relying on benefits. The plans, which the DWP stressed were at an early stage, would take into account differing circumstances – meaning a single mother would not be expected to work as many hours as a 19-year-old capable man and only at a level which enables them to look after their child. If passed, the plans could be introduced from April 2013 with universal credit. The DWP said that people would have their housing benefit reduced if it was deemed they were able to work more hours but refused to look for more employment or a better paid job. The earning threshold for joint claimants, both of whom we expect to work full time - 35 hours a week - would be £420 per week while the threshold for a lone parent, who would be expected to work 20 hours a week, would be £120 per week. Read more on Inside Housing.
No comments:
Post a Comment