Kerry McCarthy Labour MP for Bristol East
This week, the Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee published a report on the private rented sector. I asked the Committee Chair in the Commons about the report’s recommendation that the Local Housing Allowance– which has been frozen since 2020 – should be increased so that it covers rents for the cheapest 30% of properties in any given area.
In Bristol especially, private sector rents are far higher than the LHA. This means many people who rely on housing benefit, including those in low-paid work, are simply unable to afford to rent, as reported here by The Bristol Cable
We are expecting a Renters Reform Bill from the Government later this year, which was promised in last year’s Queen’s Speech. If the Chancellor won’t act to raise LHA rates in next month’s Budget, the passage of the Bill through Parliament will give us another chance to press for change.