BENEFITS BACKDATING

Early day motion 1778, tabled 11 June 2008 by Baroness Clark of Kilwinning (Labour). Signed by 104 members.

That this House notes with concern proposals to cut the backdating period for pension credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit from 12 months to three months; considers that these changes are not supported by sufficient evidence and do not represent an improvement to the benefits system; further notes that a similar proposal was made in 2000 only to be withdrawn in the face of strong opposition and a highly critical report from the Social Security Advisory Committee; and calls on the Government to withdraw these proposals in order to prevent further hardship and even eviction.

Signatures by party: Labour 52, Liberal Democrat 37, Conservative 7, DUP 3, Scottish National Party 2, Independent 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UKIP 1.