The chief executive of Leeds-based housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise has appealed to new Housing Secretary Simon Clarke to be an advocate for extra financial assistance for those left most exposed by the hike in energy prices.
Cedric Boston said: “I welcome the support the Government has pledged to bring forward but the fact remains that average energy bills have doubled in just 12 months.
“This will have a devastating impact on individuals and families on the lowest incomes including a considerable proportion of housing association tenants.
“Such a major hit on limited household budgets comes in the midst of a spiralling cost of living crisis with inflation seemingly out of control.
“I appeal to Simon Clarke, the new Housing Secretary, to be an advocate for the needs of the most vulnerable at the heart of the Government’s decision-making as we approach an incredibly difficult winter.
“This should include allowing those on housing benefit, who Ministers say they want to help, to retain the additional support received from the proposed social housing rent cap rather than the Treasury clawing it back to central funds.
“The benefit cap must also rise to enable households in receipt to meet inflationary rent increases.
“Further, there can be no excuse for annual benefits for individuals and families not to go up in line with inflation.
“Unity will always do everything we can to safeguard the wellbeing of local communities, but the Government must commit to supporting us and our tenants in the short, medium and long-term.”
