Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 29
29
Paragraph: 122
We welcome the Minister’s willingness to consider the case for reinstating the weekly allowance for...
Recommendation
We welcome the Minister’s willingness to consider the case for reinstating the weekly allowance for individuals who have previously had this allowance withdrawn, following forced changes of accommodation during the pandemic. Individuals who were moved into hotels at the start of the lockdown will now have been there for three months and many will have experienced additional costs in that time for essential items such as toiletries, over the counter medicines, additional food, children’s clothing and educational materials which will not be covered by the full board arrangement. This modest allowance also helps traumatised individuals to maintain autonomy, independence and a sense of dignity. We urge the Minister to reinstate the payment for these individuals.
Paragraph Reference:
122
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Home Office preparedness for COVID-19 (coronavirus): institutional accommodation: 11 A standard cash allowance of £39.60 per week is provided to those living in “dispersal accommodation” (flats and houses) who are expected to meet all of their essential living by buying food and other necessary items in shops. Those receiving £39.60 a week are also entitled to accommodation, utilities and council tax paid and free access to healthcare and education for children. There are no plans to provide the full £39.60 payment to those living in other forms of accommodation, where food and other essential items are provided wholly or partly in kind. However, a decision has been made to provide a weekly sum of £8 to cover essential needs in respect of travel and clothing that are not currently being fully met. £8 is the amount factored into the £39.60 rate to meet these two needs.