Freud Admits Reforms Could Force Families to Move

The minister for welfare reform Lord Freud has admitted that a reduced cap on housing benefit could force families in high-value areas to move. In a speech to the National Landlords Association (NLA) conference, Lord Freud defended the government’s controversial welfare reform programme and reiterated that welfare reform was designed to take control of ‘spiralling welfare costs’.  “We accept that in some cases people may have to move out of the more expensive properties but they will not have to move far and most areas of London are still affordable within the local housing allowance cap levels,” he said.  “Of course we want people to continue to have access to decent housing but the support provided has to be founded on principles of fairness, affordability and making work pay.”  Read more on the NLA website.