UK government tackles housing benefit problem
The UK government yesterday attacked housing benefits which have grown by 50% over the last decade to a staggering £21 billion a year. Indeed it was revealed that some families are receiving over £100,000 year in housing benefit which is a figure completely unsustainable in the future. So how has George Osborne tackled the problem?
Housing benefit in future will be limited to £280 a week for a flat and £400 a week for a house. It is unclear how historic housing benefit agreements will be tackled or whether the new figures will only relate to future housing benefit arrangements. Either way this is one part of a multi pronged attack on the UK benefits system which has grown completely out of control over the last 20 or 30 years.
While housing benefit payments will be reduced significantly in the future the government also announced an increase in discretionary housing payments for hardship cases with an additional £40 million to be made available. It would appear, on the surface at least, that George Osborne is looking to protect those on the lowest incomes in the UK while at the same time looking to limit payments to those on middle range to higher incomes.
Share this..
Related stories
Is Gordon Brown about to get his way with British Energy?
News that French energy giant EDF is back in talks with British Energy about a takeover may finally see Gordon Brown able to push through his wishes - even though they are against those expressed by some of the group's largest shareholders. If a deal can be reached it would reduce the immediate liability the government would have towards funding the UK's nuclear program and also give it a £4 bil...
Read MoreIs the MPs expenses system to blame?
Amid accusations of large-scale expenditure by various Cabinet ministers and MPs in the UK the government has today sought to blame the expenses system itself for the current debacle. Despite the fact that MPs are not obliged to claim various expenses, anything from plugs to antique fireplaces, there has been a widespread systematic use of the system to its full capacity. Let's not forget that MPs...
Read MoreSmart meters will only save £26 a year on energy bills
10/09/2014 Smart meters, which are due to be installed into every home in Britain by 2020, will only save consumers 2%, or £26, on their annual bills. The Public Accounts Committee, a committee who look into parliaments spending, have advised that even though the smart meters may help consumers reduce their energy consumption, they will only save 2% on their bills annually. Installing the m...
Read MoreUK consumers downsizing their food consumption
The pizza chain Domino's Pizza has today revealed that UK consumers are downsizing their supplies of more healthy and more expensive food in favour of some of the cheaper ranges across the UK retail environment. As if to highlight the point we have seen the likes of Asda and Tesco introduce their new one pound range of foods which has attracted the attention of cost conscious UK consumers.
...
UK government under pressure over petrol prices
As we approach the next general election the UK government is today concerned about growing unrest within the UK motoring community. The price of a litre of petrol is now around £1.20 and there are concerns that we could see the price increase to £1.50 in the short-term. A number of motoring organisations are reporting significant unrest amongst the members and many MPs have been on the end of v...
Read More