Housing benefit cap to drive people out of central london - so what?

[bednobs]

read today that some charities think the housing benefit cap will mean that people will be limited to a 2 bedroomed flat if they are living in central london, and it will force them to move. I don't get why this should be such a bad thing - if you rely on the state to house you, surely you should live in places that are cheaper to live in - the whole country is having to make sacrifices and cutbacks in this economic climate so why not these people. it's not like you need to be there for a job (because i am assuming if you get housing benefit it's because you are not working)
It's not even like central london is a particularly nice place to live in!

[factor-fiction]

I also think landlords knew they could get away with charging high rents because the state would pick up the tab. Some landlords are I'm sure conspiring with their tenants.
There will be problems but I think it's a step in the right direction and may in some small way help keep down housing costs in London and save the taxpayer a bit of money.

[jno]

not all benefit recipients are forever unemployed; many are looking for work, and they're more likely to find it in a big place like London. If they moved to your street, what would their chances be like?

[bednobs]

not sure to be honest. Most of the people in my street are employed (except those who are retired and one bloke who is long term sick, and there are 2 mums with small children). however, we do live right by the station, and people could very easily get to say Reading, which is our nearest big town for work (in fact that is what a lot of people in my street do)

[bednobs]

also, if i couldn't afford to live where i live, i would have no choice but to look for something cheaper. If the country can't afford for people to live where they are currently living, they should be moved somewhere cheaper

[ummmm]

I've said this a few times. Someones work history should be looked at before certain benefits are awarded. If someone has worked hard all their life and fell on hard times then they should have their rent paid over someone who just happens to scrounge in London.

[pastafreak]

Housing benefit is income based,just like council tax benefit. You do many recipients an injustice by assuming they are unemployed. Also...many councils outside of London have already stated that they already have long waiting lists of their own,and therefore will not be able to take any London recipients.

[saxy_jag]

I do wonder sometimes why I should have to work all hours in a job I hate just so that I can afford the rent on my modest little semi, when those with fifteen kids and no intention of working are given veritable palaces at the expense of the state.

[ummmm]

Pasta....HB is income based but if you don't work you get it.

[pastafreak]

I doubt all recipients of benefit are scroungers....

[bednobs]

me too pf, but i still think that not living in central london is a posive boon!

[jackthehat]

Of course they aren't.
But anyone not having to stump up for costs of living in a particular property themselves, will be less circumspect about choosing a place in which to live.
Having secured such accommodation, is it surprising that they are disinclined to take up paid employment, when the greater proportion of their income will then have to be laid out in rent/council tax ?

[ummmm]

No Pasta...that's why I think their work history should be looked at before the amount they are awarded is decided.

[pastafreak]

bednobs...I imagine there are plenty for whom central London is home,and has been for a long time.

I agree JTH...but I hate being cynical about everyone who is dependent on benefits of any kind.

[sherrardk]

Where we live, if you claim Housing Benefit and your rent is below the market average you get the difference (up to £15 per week) given to you.

[pastafreak]

Until now-hasn't that reward been dependent on market rates for rentals? If it no longer is,then it stands to reason that many will either HAVE to use more of what is already limited disposable income on housing....or move. And what if they have only recently returned to work-yet do not make enough...or are on benefit due to the loss of a partners income.

[bednobs]

"bednobs...I imagine there are plenty for whom central London is home,and has been for a long time."

true, but if you can no longer afford to live in central london (or in this case if the country can no longer afford for you to live in central london) then move!

[pastafreak]

ahhh...but what of the job-assuming our Londoner has one. It may seem a cut and dried choice to us...but different when in the middle. I expect we may be hearing some tales as this builds up as a news story.

[shaneystar2]

Where do you expect them to move to ?
We have loads of space in East Anglia and fairly cheap housing but very little work .
So they would be sitting on their bums in the countryside .
At least in London the unemployed who want to work have far better prospects of finding a job than somewhere like Mundesley on the Mud .

[cazzz1975]

personally I think its a privilidge to be able to live so close to a city centre, a lot of people pay a small fortune for a flat or a house in the city of london. a cap is a good idea.