Westminster Council Call For Housing Benefit Overhaul

Six councils have called on the government to overhaul the housing benefit system, to give them the power to limit the cash paid out to claimants.The local authorities, led by Westminster City Council, have written to work and pensions minister Yvette Cooper, to call for a complete overhaul of the system.

Commonsense dictates that the current system is not fit for purpose and needs to be changed. This isn't simply a Westminster issue as it impacts on councils across London and the UK.

The letter says a system which pays families at least £500 per week wholly unfair and plainly wrong.

It adds: With our local knowledge, we believe that local authorities are best placed to influence where residents should be placed… and what benefit levels are appropriate.

Westminster’s cabinet member for housing, Philippa Roe, said: ‘Commonsense dictates that the current system is not fit for purpose and needs to be changed. This isn't simply a Westminster issue as it impacts on councils across London and the UK.

We will be looking to the government to take on board our recommendations to make the system fairer which is all the more urgent in today's very difficult economic climate.

The letter forms the councils’ response to a government consultation on the future of housing benefit.