The government has confirmed that housing benefit will be frozen from next year for at least another 12 months.

It was increased in the former Conservative government’s last Budget in the spring but the Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, has confirmed that it will be frozen now for a further year. 

Chris Norris, Policy Director for the National Residential Landlords Association, says: “Whilst the Budget spoke about protecting vulnerable people, it failed to confirm what we now know – that housing benefit rates will be frozen as of next year.

“It makes no sense whatsoever to provide support for housing costs that bear no resemblance to rents as they actually are.

“Coupled with tax hikes on the supply of homes to rent, announcements today will make it hardest of all for those claiming benefits to access and sustain tenancies in the rented sector.”

·The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, a think tank, has calculated that if housing benefit rates remain frozen over this parliament, on average, private tenants on housing benefits will be around £700 worse off per year.