Almost 200,000 families 'face poverty unless benefit freeze is lifted'

PoliticsBusiness & Finance
2 Nov 2026 • 8:45 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Almost 200,000 families 'face poverty unless benefit freeze is lifted'

  • Leading charities have warned that the government's decision to maintain the freeze on Local Housing Allowance rates will push nearly 200,000 families into poverty or deeper poverty.
  • In an open letter to prime minister Andy Burnham, 19 organisations warned the freeze critically undermines his pledge to end rough sleeping and urged him to spend £1.7bn to lift it.
  • Surging market rents have left a shortfall between housing benefit levels and rent of around £200 a month in London and £100 a month across the rest of the UK.
  • Research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation indicates private renters will be approximately £700 worse off per year by 2029 if no action is taken.
  • Campaigners are calling for housing support to cover real rent costs alongside the introduction of an inflation-linked rent cap to protect vulnerable tenants.

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