News article
Crisis: housing benefit cut 'irresponsible'
Crisis has warned that the chancellor's plan to cut housing benefit for under-25s will leave tens of thousands vulnerable to homelessness.
Ahead of his appearance at the Conservative Party Conference, chancellor George Osborne has laid out £10bn in cuts to welfare, including abolishing housing benefit for under-25s.
In response, Leslie Morphy, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “At a time of record youth unemployment and rising youth homelessness, the chancellor’s proposals to cut housing benefit for under-25s are irresponsible.
“Some young people may be lucky enough to be able to move back in with their parents, but tens of thousands simply don't have that option, particularly those who have experienced family breakdown, violence or abuse.
“In addition, young people striving in low-paid work and claiming housing benefit to meet soaring rents will have to uproot and most likely lose their job, not being able to find another.
“Our fear is that if this cut goes ahead thousands of under-25s, many of them very vulnerable, will be left with very little choice but to try and get by on friends’ floors, squats or even the streets. A disaster for them, and a disaster for us all. The government should instead be focusing its energies on helping young people back to work, ensuring there is a strong safety net to prevent, reduce and resolve homelessness for all and building many more genuinely affordable homes."
Crisis is campaigning against these cuts. To add your voice visit the Crisis Campaigns page.