Welfare Reform Bill

With this it will be convenient to discuss the following amendments: No. 5, in page 20, line 33, at end insert— ‘( ) The Appropriate Maximum Housing Benefit may not vary according to the age of the claimant.’. No. 67, in page 22, line 9, clause 30, leave out ‘five years’ and insert ‘twelve months’. Government amendment No. 12 No. 70, in page 29, line 39, clause 35, at end insert— ‘(4) In respect of determining the local housing allowance, the rent officer upon request, shall make available within a reasonable period the evidence and data used to calculate the local housing allowance. (5) In determining the broad rental market area or areas in relation to a local authority, the rent officer, upon request, shall make available within a reasonable period the evidence and data used to determine the broad rental market area or areas. (6) In determining the broad rental market area or areas, the rent officer shall consult with the relevant local authority or authorities on the boundaries and extent of that area or areas. (7) Consultation undertaken under subsection (6) shall be in accordance with such requirements as may be specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State. (8) In this section ““broad rental market area”” means an area— (a) comprising two or more distinct areas of residential accommodation, each distinct area of residential accommodation adjoining at least one other in the area; (b) within which a person could reasonably be expected to live having regard to facilities and services for the purposes of health, education, recreation, personal banking and shopping, taking account of the distance of travel, by public and private transport, to and from facilities and services of the same type and similar standard; and (c) containing residential premises of a variety of types, and including such premises held on a variety of tenancies.’.