Fostering fears voiced over welfare reforms
The impact of the UK government’s welfare reforms on foster carers in social housing in East Lothian is being assessed.
Concern has been raised that people who foster will not be able to claim housing benefit for bedrooms occupied by fostered children.
As previously reported in the News, council tenants face losing up to 25 per cent of their housing benefit if they have unoccupied bedrooms in their home.
At a debate in neighbouring Midlothian Council, it emerged that foster parents will face the same measures, despite having children staying in their ‘spare’ rooms. Members were shocked to discover that foster children will not count when Under Occupancy rules are introduced to housing benefit next April.
Under Occupancy will see council and housing association tenants having to give 14 per cent of their housing benefit back for ‘under occupying’ one room and 25 per cent for two or more rooms.
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Weather for Musselburgh
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 13 C
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