To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the scale of rental income losses in England during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered on
16 November 2020
The Government has established an unprecedented package of support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic which is supporting renters to sustain tenancies and continue paying rent. As with all policy making, this is informed by a range of data sources.
This comprehensive package includes a range of support for businesses to pay staff salaries, including through the furlough scheme which has now been extended to March. We have also strengthened the welfare safety-net with over £9 billion boost to the welfare system, including an extra £1 billion to increase Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates so that they cover the lowest 30% of market rents. For those renters who require additional support, there is an existing £180 million of Government funding for Discretionary Housing Payments made available this year, an increase of £40 million from last year and which is for councils to distribute to support renters with housing costs.
The Department does not currently hold information on the scale of rental losses.