Councils Protest at Benefit Cap Switch

Councils being hit first by the benefits cap plan to lobby the government over fears they will be disadvantaged by the surprise move.  The government announced on 20 December that the £26,000 total household benefits cap will only apply to four councils, Haringey, Croydon, Enfield and Bromley, from 1 April and not to everywhere at the same time as widely expected. The four London councils are considering coming together to warn the government the move will make it more difficult and costly for them to house homeless families in temporary accommodation.  This is because other surrounding boroughs unaffected by the cap will be able to afford to place people in accommodation in the ‘capped’ boroughs, potentially leading to a shortage of suitable homes in the affected boroughs.  Read more on Inside Housing.