Benefit lifeline

Published on 27/06/2012 00:00

IT IS disappointing that the housing safety net is yet again the target for UK Government cuts with proposals to slash housing benefit for the under 25s (your report, 26 June). By taking away housing benefit from hundreds of thousands of young people – especially at a time when young people are finding it very difficult to find jobs – the UK government is ultimately risking the future of an entire generation.

This is not a price worth paying.

The government assumes that all young adults have a family home to move back to if this policy is ever implemented – they do not. And what of care leavers or those who have fled abusive homes?

For these and many other young people housing benefit is also an in-work credit – a lifeline – that helps them to find and keep a job and lead an independent life while keeping a roof over their head.

And since previous changes to housing benefit will force people with spare rooms to downsize and penalise those with adult children living at home, these policies appear completely contradictory, leaving thousands of young people with little hope and the serious risk of homelessness.

Graeme Brown

Director, Shelter Scotland

South Charlotte Street

Edinburgh