Friday, 1 March 2013

Underoccupancy Charge – Parliamentary Written Answer

Baroness Quin: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) local authorities, and (2) housing associations, about the availability of one- and two-bedroom properties in implementing their underoccupancy charge. 
Lord Freud: The underlying principle behind this policy is not to force people into moving, but for people who are under occupying to make realistic choices about how they will meet the rent on a property that is larger than they need.
I, ministerial colleagues and departmental officials have met housing associations and local authorities to discuss various aspects of the Government's plans for welfare reform, including details of the underoccupancy charge for social tenants. During the development of the underoccupancy measure, officials from both the DWP and the CLG met social landlord groups to discuss the emerging policy.

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