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20/05/2003
Neighbours from hell could lose benefits
Nightmare neighbours who make people's lives a misery could lose Housing Benefit, according to proposals being consulted on by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Work and Pensions minister Andrew Smith today sent a consultation document to local authorities and other bodies to seek their views on using Housing Benefit sanctions to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Mr Smith said: "The rights we gain from civil society – including the right to financial support when we need it – must be balanced by our duty to behave responsibly towards our fellow citizens. The government sympathises with those who question whether it is right for the State to support the housing costs of people whose behaviour brings misery to the lives of individuals and communities.
"The aim of a Housing Benefit sanction would be to provide a workable measure that could be applied swiftly and fairly in response to such behaviour."
Bob Ainsworth, Home Office Minister, said that the move was an effective way of dealing with anti-social tenants and creating a deterrent to others.
In the white paper, 'Respect and Responsibilities - Taking a Stand Against Anti-Social Behaviour', published on 12 March, the government said that it intended to consult on whether to give local authorities an enabling power to withhold payments of Housing Benefit from individual tenants where they believe this is the most effective way of tackling anti-social behaviour.
The consultation describes a sanction triggered by court convictions for offences involving anti-social behaviour; and a sanction triggered by a separate local authority administrative process.
The deadline for responses is 12 August 2003.
(GMcG)
Work and Pensions minister Andrew Smith today sent a consultation document to local authorities and other bodies to seek their views on using Housing Benefit sanctions to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Mr Smith said: "The rights we gain from civil society – including the right to financial support when we need it – must be balanced by our duty to behave responsibly towards our fellow citizens. The government sympathises with those who question whether it is right for the State to support the housing costs of people whose behaviour brings misery to the lives of individuals and communities.
"The aim of a Housing Benefit sanction would be to provide a workable measure that could be applied swiftly and fairly in response to such behaviour."
Bob Ainsworth, Home Office Minister, said that the move was an effective way of dealing with anti-social tenants and creating a deterrent to others.
In the white paper, 'Respect and Responsibilities - Taking a Stand Against Anti-Social Behaviour', published on 12 March, the government said that it intended to consult on whether to give local authorities an enabling power to withhold payments of Housing Benefit from individual tenants where they believe this is the most effective way of tackling anti-social behaviour.
The consultation describes a sanction triggered by court convictions for offences involving anti-social behaviour; and a sanction triggered by a separate local authority administrative process.
The deadline for responses is 12 August 2003.
(GMcG)
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