Work and Pensions Committee - Fifth Report
Local Housing Allowance

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Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 22 March 2010.

Contents

Terms of Reference

Summary

1 Introduction

National roll-out of LHA

Key features of LHA

Private sector only

Standard rates within Broad Rental Market Areas

Direct payments

Keeping the difference

The inquiry

2 Objectives of Local Housing Allowance

Fairness

Choice

Transparency

Improving personal responsibility and financial inclusion

Reducing barriers to work

Improving administration

3 Direct payments—principles

4 Direct payments—practicalities

Access to bank accounts

Timing of payments

Access to financial advice services

5 Vulnerable claimants and rent arrears

Rent arrears

Vulnerability safeguards

Eight weeks rule

Early intervention

6 Broad Rental Market Areas

BRMA boundaries and access to work

Rent levels and £15 excess entitlement

7 Impact of LHA rules on large families, disabled people and under 25s

5 bedroom cap

Disability

Under 25s

Conclusions and recommendations

Formal Minutes

Witnesses

List of unprinted evidence

List of Reports from the Committee during the current Parliament

Oral Evidence
13 January 2010
3 February 2010

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Prepared 30 March 2010