Where's the Benefit?

allpay.net was delighted in February 2004 to be invited to sponsor the London and Quadrant (L&Q) Housing Trust's topical report on the government's new initiative to pay housing benefits direct to tenants.

The results contained in the report provide an assessment of the impact that some of the government's proposals could have on the social housing sector if they were introduced unchanged.

Housing benefit in the UK supports approximately 3.5 million households, 80% of whom live in the social housing sector. Since it was introduced in the early 1980s, housing benefit has been the subject of countless changes and reforms, all attempting to simplify the system, reduce delay, avoid fraud, and lower the cost to the taxpayer. The next round of changes, as the government seeks yet again to modernise the system, are discussed in the report.

allpay.net has not only sponsored but was delighted to have the opportunity to design and print the report, which is in demand from Housing Associations and Local Authorities nationally. It is hoped that the L&Q report will be an excellent point from which to open up the debate on the delivery of Housing Benefit.

The L&Q report is available to purchase from allpay.net. Copies cost £15 and can be ordered through by telephone on 01432 852419 or by email to benefitreport@allpay.net.