A QUESTION on discretionary housing payments and the ending of the spare room subsidy was put by Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, at Work and Pensions Questions in the House of Commons.

She enquired about the effectiveness of discretionary housing payments and pressed Steve Webb, Minister of State for Work and Pensions to agree that councils should use all available funds provided to offset the ending of the spare room subsidy for those who are disabled and have a need for two bedrooms or more and those who cannot find smaller accommodation.

She also asked if under spending this year would affect next year’s allocation.

Mr Webb agreed that funding being made available to local authorities for cases where it would be inappropriate for individuals to make up the shortfall should be spent.