Scottish First Minister “Deeply Concerned” By Housing Benefit Cuts

In response to a question from Clare Adamson MSP, the First Minister has said she is “deeply concerned” about the impact Tory housing benefit cuts will have on people in refuges and supported accommodation. This includes older people, disabled people, women who have suffered domestic abuse and care leavers.

The UK Government plan to reduce social sector housing benefit rates to that of Local Housing Allowance – a rate that is far lower than the cost of rent and service charges that is needed to provide refuge and supported accommodation. 

The First Minister has said “this will have a catastrophic impact on some of the most vulnerable people in our society” and confirmed that the Social Justice Secretary has written to the UK Government to express “grave concerns” about the changes.

Commenting Ms Adamson said:

“As the First Minister has stated, this cut in housing support will be catastrophic for people living in refuges and supported accommodation, including women affected by domestic abuse, disabled people and people who are homeless.

“There is now real uncertainty about the future provision of refuges and other forms of supported accommodation in Scotland and tenants and landlords need reassurance and to be able to make future plans. Scottish Women’s Aid have warned that these changes could mean that women would be effectively prevented’ from leaving an abusive partner

“The SNP is committed to fighting this unfair and damaging cut to support for the most vulnerable people in our society – the UK Government must exempt all supported housing from this cut now.”

Clare Anne Adamson MSP (born 1 August 1967) has represented the Scottish National Party at Holyrood as a Member of the Scottish Parliament for Central Scotland since 2011.