NLA comments on Housing Benefit Statistics released by DWP

David Salusbury, Chairman, National Landlords Association, commented on the housing benefit statistics released by the Department for Work and Pensions:
 
“Today’s statistics show that the economic environment is still having a significant impact on the private rented sector within the UK, with the number of people needing support with their living costs still increasing.
 
“Although these latest statistics do not tell us anything about whether the Government’s reform package for housing benefits is a success, they do show the significant danger of getting housing benefit reform wrong.
 
“With over 1.24 million people now receiving Local Housing Allowance it is crucial that the Government supports landlords providing accommodation for this vulnerable group of people. The focus must be on encouraging the supply of rental accommodation, as well as reducing benefit expenditure.”

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:
Dane Svenson, Press Officer
0207 840 8925
dane.svenson@landlords.org.uk


NOTES TO EDITORS:
The National Landlords Association (NLA) is the UK’s leading organisation for private-residential landlords. It has over 20,000 paid-up members, ranging from full-time landlords with large property portfolios to those with just a single letting. NLA membership helps landlords make a success of their lettings business by providing a wide range of information, advice and services. The NLA campaigns for the legitimate interests of landlords by seeking to influence decision-makers at all levels of government and by making landlords’ collective voice heard in the media. It seeks to raise standards in the private-rented sector while aiming to ensure that landlords are aware of their statutory rights and responsibilities. Based at its head office in Central London, the NLA currently employs over 40 full-time staff and has a network of more than 40 regional representatives and branches throughout the UK.