‘Flippant’ DWP Minister Says Many Tenants In Rent Arrears Before Claiming UC

Fresh from being branded ‘flippant’ over the benefit cap, DWP minister Justin Tomlinson maintains many social housing tenants claiming Universal Credit (UC) were struggling with rent arrears at the start of their claim. But in a written response to a question from Labour’s Helen Hayes, Tomlinson said the DWP was currently carrying out related analysis of this issue with a number of housing providers. This analysis, he said, would investigate and understand the “true level” of tenant rent arrears, what was causing them and any impacts UC may be having. This, he said, would be published when completed. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/flippant-dwp-minister-says-many-tenants-in-rent-arrears-before-claiming-universal-credit/

Right To Buy Data Brings 'Rethink' Calls

Ministers have been urged to rethink plans to extend Right to Buy, after official data revealed barely 300 homes have replaced those sold since April. Publication of the quarterly Right to Buy sales figures from the CLG provoked an angry response from opponents of the scheme. The figures showed just 307 homes were built or replaced between April and July this year against sales of 2,779. The data also revealed that 12,235 homes were sold in the year up to the end of June but 1,842 were started or acquired to replace them. Download the figures from the CLG website.