Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Deferred
Paragraph: 52
Review the £30,000 DFG upper limit, considering regional construction costs, and set new regional limits.
Recommendation
The £30,000 upper limit on individual DFG applications is sufficient to cover the cost of most DFG applications. However, the fact that the upper limit has not changed since 2008, despite recent rising construction costs, means the DFG does not meet the needs of some applicants whose adaptations cost more than £30,000. Consequently, a small number of disabled people who require more complex adaptations may struggle to afford to self-fund the home adaptations they need. The Government should immediately review the £30,000 upper limit on individual DFGs, with consideration for regional variation in construction costs, and set new regional upper limits. Going forward, the new upper limits must also take account of inflation and construction costs.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government outlines measures to support disabled people in the Private Rented Sector, including existing Equality Act provisions and new ones in the Renters' Rights Bill, but does not address the recommendation to review the £30,000 upper limit for individual Disabled Facilities Grants.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
52
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
30. This government is reviewing the suitability of the current grant upper limit. As recommended, the review is taking account of inflation and construction costs, and we are also considering the variation in costs between regions. We expect the review to conclude later in 2025. Given that any rise in the upper limit will require additional funding, the government will say more about its future approach after the Spending Review. In the interim, local authorities have considerable discretion and may fund adaptations above the current £30,000 upper limit in line with a local policy or in exceptional circumstances. LUHC Select Committee Report conclusion: Whilst we recognise the need for the DFG means test to be a well-evidenced process, the current DFG means test is unnecessarily complex and leads many applicants to drop out of the DFG process entirely. We are also concerned that the means test’s passporting provisions can result in unfair ‘cliff-edges’ for applicants when they move into work.
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