Will Quince corrected a written answer on Discretionary Housing Payments: Coronavirus

15 April 2020 · Commons written answer · Department for Work and Pensions

Richard Fuller (Conservative, North East Bedfordshire) asked written question 30724 on 17 March 2020. Will Quince answered on 23 March 2020 for the Department for Work and Pensions, and Will Quince corrected the answer on 15 April 2020. The corrected text adds the figures £179.5m, £600, which the original did not give. Altogether 187 words differ between the two versions.

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether people with a reduced income after following guidance on coivd-19 are eligible for assistance with rented housing costs through the Discretionary Housing Payments scheme; and whether additional funding has been allocated to local authorities for that payment scheme.

Original and corrected answer

Struck through: original only. Bold: correction only.

Original	Corrected
As ~~both~~ the ~~Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes~~ to support ~~people affected by COVID 19~~ and ~~we have been clear~~ in ~~our intention that no one should be penalised for doing~~ the ~~right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review~~ and ~~will keep Parliament updated accordingly.~~	We have increased the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that it covers the cheapest third of local rents – which is on average £600 in people’s pockets. Discretionary Housing Payments are made at local authority discretion, including the amount and duration of any award. Local authorities administer the scheme as they are best placed to make informed judgements about relative priorities and needs in their area to ensure that the most vulnerable are supported and the limited funds are targeted effectively. As we have announced at the spending round for 2020/21 there is £179.5m in DHPs for Local authorities to support renters with housing costs in the private and social rented sector. The increase to the Local Housing Allowance rates will help alleviate shortfalls in the private rented sector and relieve pressure on DHPs.

Original

Corrected

As ~~both~~ the ~~Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes~~ to support ~~people affected by COVID 19~~ and ~~we have been clear~~ in ~~our intention that no one should be penalised for doing~~ the ~~right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review~~ and ~~will keep Parliament updated accordingly.~~

We have increased the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that it covers the cheapest third of local rents – which is on average £600 in people’s pockets.
Discretionary Housing Payments are made at local authority discretion, including the amount and duration of any award.
Local authorities administer the scheme as they are best placed to make informed judgements about relative priorities and needs in their area to ensure that the most vulnerable are supported and the limited funds are targeted effectively.
As we have announced at the spending round for 2020/21 there is £179.5m in DHPs for Local authorities to support renters with housing costs in the private and social rented sector. The increase to the Local Housing Allowance rates will help alleviate shortfalls in the private rented sector and relieve pressure on DHPs.

The question and answer on the Parliament website.

Receipt

Read from	https://questions-statements-api.parliament.uk/api/writtenquestions/questions/1185687?expandMember=true
Date read	15 October 2026
SHA-256	`ce09a8d2429609ac333215f8eea23a214285d4698302c765045f9d366deac302`