Recommendation 7

The Housing Support Fund was designed to be a short-term measure but is now in its third funding cycle. While we all hope to see far more stability in the economy in coming years, the need for such funds highlights that benefits are already set at subsistence levels for most, leaving no capacity for individuals to cope with short term shocks. A more responsive uprating system would help to address this. We recommend that, by the end of this Parliament, the Government review the adequacy of benefit levels and publish its findings. This should include a specific review of the adequacy of disability benefits and should consider whether it is appropriate to continue to rely on discretionary funds and one-off payments.