THE 16-HOUR RULE
103. The Foyer Federation raised the problem of Housing
Benefit for those aged 19 and over who wish to study over 16 hours
a week. It stated that "this rule is a significant impediment
to Foyer residents, and others in a similar position, fulfilling
their economic potential. Our research shows that around 50% of
young people affected by this rule simply abandon their attempts
to gain qualifications at Levels 2 and 3".[148]
This appears to us to be a barrier to homeless adults who wish
to acquire an education that could take them out of homelessness.
104. Mr Pond told us that the Department for Work
and Pensions had been discussing the issue of the 16 hour rule
with young people and the Foyer Federation. "I hope we are
going to be able to come up with something in the next few weeks…It
is something that we have been looking at very carefully over
the past few months. Clearly there are practical implications
and there are financial implications which we consider very seriously,
but we do recognise the problem".[149]
We await the Government's announcement on potential reform of
the 16 hours of study Housing Benefit rules with interest. We
believe that this rule should be rescinded in order to help and
not hinder those who wish to gain qualifications to move themselves
out of homelessness.
105. We understand that
Housing Benefit is to be the subject of a Government consultation.
We welcome the Government's consultation on the Housing Benefit
system. We hope that eventual proposals will result in the faster
processing of claims, and the removal of barriers into work for
those in temporary accommodation.
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