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Press Release

Moat responds to government concession on welfare reform implementation

2 February 2012

We welcome reports that the Government is to make some concessions regarding the implementation of welfare reforms; more specifically, Iain Duncan Smith's proposed nine month transitional period for families affected by the £26,000 benefits cap.

The basic principle we hold is that those trying to do the right thing (by moving to a lower rent area or finding a job) should not be penalised because they are unable to do so immediately. We would welcome any Government movement on this issue.

In a paper launched together with fellow members of the Consortium of Associations in the South East (CASE) this week, ‘The impact of welfare reform on housing', we similarly recommend that the Government introduce a ‘soft start' for those deemed to be under-occupying; to mitigate against a huge number of residents unable to make alternative plans within proposed timescales. The same flexibility should absolutely be granted for those affected by the introduction of the cap.

We hope that today signals a renewed understanding between the Government and providers about the need for discussion around how these reforms are introduced; and would urge that it takes notice of other recommendations within the CASE paper. There is much to be done to ensure that the current proposed short term fixes do not open the floodgates for more complex problems in the longer term.



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