SINGLE ROOM RENT RESTRICTIONS

Early day motion 2753, tabled 16 October 2006 by Alan Meale (Labour). Signed by 68 members.

That this House believes that there is an urgent need to scrap current single room rent restrictions which discriminate against benefit claimants aged under 25 years by limiting their entitlement to housing benefits to the average cost of a room in shared accommodation; notes that the Department for Work and Pensions' own research shows that the impact of the restriction is that 87 per cent. of people in this category face an average shortfall of £35.14 per week towards their rent; and calls upon the Government to introduce suitable clauses in its Welfare Reform Bill to abolish such draconian restrictions and also to work with the coalition of eight national organisations currently providing accommodation, support and advice to young people to find better ways to deliver its welfare to work agenda.

Signatures by party: Labour 46, Liberal Democrat 17, Plaid Cymru 2, Conservative 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.