Welfare Reform and Not Paying the Rent

Government plans to change the way social housing tenants pay their rent - paying their own rent rather than housing benefit going straight to landlords -  could have serious consequences for some of the poorest people in Britain - and their landlords. So why are they being kept secret from the public?  Since July, the DWP has been testing the changes in six areas. These pilots (described as "demonstration projects" by the DWP) are shrouded in secrecy. Participants have had to promise not to reveal any of the results without express departmental approval. A website which aims to identify potential "issues" with the reforms - the Housing Benefit Direct Payments Network - is only accessible to people vetted by Whitehall. Journalists are not welcome. Read more on the BBC website.