Recommendation 24

We welcome the Government’s decision to increase Local Housing Allowance rates to the 30th percentile of local market rents from 1 April 2024. However, this is an urgent matter that required the Government’s immediate action. It is therefore disappointing that the Government did not implement this change with greater speed following the Autumn Statement in November 2023. We are concerned that this delay has failed to alleviate the increasing numbers of families unable to find suitable accommodation during the winter, with serious consequences for the health and wellbeing of those affected.