Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Housing Solicitors

DWP hails benefit cap success on same day MoJ figures show record number of evictions in 2015 (26 May 2015)

Date: 26/05/2015
Duncan Lewis, Housing Solicitors, DWP hails benefit cap success on same day MoJ figures show record number of evictions in 2015

Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has hailed the success of the benefit cap on the same day that the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) reported a record number of evictions among rental tenants.

Mr Duncan Smith said that the benefit cap had acted as “a clear incentive to people to get into work”.

Under the coalition government, Mr Duncan Smith introduced a £500 cap on the maximum amount of weekly benefits a household could receive.

Some families in receipt of benefits up to £800 a week found themselves struggling financially once their benefit was cut.

However, new figures show that thousands of capped households are now claiming working tax credits instead, having found employment.

Online housing publisher 24Dash.com reports that the latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that a total of 23,100 households had their housing benefit capped during February this year – and out of these, more than 60% were single-parent families.

Out of all the families who were capped, a total of 83% were capped by £100 or less a week – a total of 59% had between one and four children and 63% were single-parent households with child dependants, the figures show.

The figures also show that, out of the top 20 local authorities with the highest number of households affected by the benefit cap, just one – Birmingham – was outside London.

Furthermore, on the same day that the DWP published benefit cap data, the Ministry of Justice published figures which show that a total of 11,307 renting households in England and Wales were evicted from their homes in the first three months of 2015, representing an 8% rise on the same period in 2014 –
as well as being the highest number recorded in just one quarter since 2009.

MoJ figures also show there were 31,442 orders for possession, a total of 20,683 warrants of possession – and 11,307 repossessions by county court bailiffs in January to March 2015.

The number of orders issued has decreased by 6% compared with 2014 figures, however – but warrants and repossessions have both increased by 1% and 8% respectively, the figures show.

Out of all possession claims in the first three months of 2015, social landlords were responsible for a total of 27,204 possession claims, compared with just over 5,500 possession claims made by private landlords.

Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, said:

“As well as restoring fairness to the system and saving the taxpayer money, these figures show the benefit cap provides a clear incentive to people to get into work.

“By putting an end to runaway benefit claims and introducing a system which guarantees you will always be better off in work, thousands of people who have been affected by the cap are gaining the financial security and esteem that comes with a job and a pay packet.”

Chief executive of housing charity Shelter, Campbell Robb, said that the figures “are a glaring reminder that sky high housing costs and welfare cuts are leaving thousands of people battling to keep a roof over their heads”.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise private sector and public sector tenants on a wide range of housing matters, including:

• Disrepair
• Housing benefit
• Housing possession
• Landlord & tenant disputes
• Local Authority housing
• Section 146 (Notice to quit)
• Section 193 (council’s obligation to house)
• Tenancy agreements
• Unlawful eviction.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – and Duncan Lewis is also a leading provider of Legal Aid housing advice.

For expert legal advice on housing law, contact Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 020 7923 4020.


For all Housing related matter contact us now.Contact Us

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is 143-149 Fenchurch St, London, EC3M 6BL. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.