Almost 2,000 people across the Caerphilly County Borough will lose out because of changes
to housing benefit introduced by the Coalition Government.
Figures obtained by Labour’s Caerphilly AM Jeff Cuthbert from the Department for Work and Pensions revealed1,950 people entitled to local housing allowance (LHA) in the private rented sector will receive less financial support. Across the UK 770,000 will lose on average £9 per week.
Mr Cuthbert said the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats were targeting the most vulnerable
in society.
He said: “These changes could well lead to more people falling into arrears or even being made
homeless.
“If you are on a fixed income this is a lot of money to lose, especially when you might be having
other benefits taken away from you at the same time. Once again the Con-Dem Westminster coalition is attacking the most vulnerable people in Wales.”
Islwyn MP Chris Evans has also attacked the changes.
He said: “From next year, families on modest incomes in Islwyn will be alarmed to learn that under the Government’s plans, they could be on average £11 a week worse off because of cuts to the support they get with housing costs.
“As a result of this measure, around 90% per cent of the 2,490 Housing benefit recipients, including many families, in the borough will lose out.
“This threatens to put people on the streets just when they are already struggling to make ends meet. The Government should think again about these rushed and completely ill-thought-out plans.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “Working families should not have to pay to support a benefits system which allows people to live in properties they themselves could never afford.
“We know that many people will make up the shortfall in Local Housing Allowance, or renegotiate their rent with landlords. We are working with local councils on the transition and have tripled the Discretionary Payments, with £140 million being made available over the next five years to support those most vulnerable.
“We have worked to restore fairness to a system that was ineffective, wildly expensive and entirely unsustainable.”