Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, has welcomed the news that the Government is introducing new legislation to Parliament to provide extra support with the cost of housing for 75,000 households across the South East by increasing the Local Housing Allowance.
Exceptionally high rents, caused by global inflationary pressures, mean housing support provided to many on the lowest incomes have become out of step with market rates. By raising the Local Housing Allowance rate to the thirtieth percentile of local market rents in April 2024, the Government is supporting over one million families to meet current costs.
Over the next five years, £7 billion will be invested to support 1.6 million private renters on Universal Credit or Housing Benefit across the UK, benefitting households by an average of £800 for 2024-25.
Combined with the Back to Work Plan and other measures announced in the Autumn Statement for Growth 2023, the Government is supporting more people into work while providing a robust safety net to protect people from hardship during difficult economic times.
Nusrat Ghani said: “I welcome the Government’s commitment to continuing supporting the most vulnerable families in need of help with the cost of living. Housing costs are the number one expense for families across the country and this increase in the Local Housing Allowance means that 75,000 people across the South East, which includes Wealden residents, will receive greater support."