Age UK warns housing benefit

18 November 2010 update at 09: 56 GMT age concerns UK benefit reforms will leave some retirees with less money for the heating of housing benefit reform could leave some elderly people on low incomes their State of health may be at risk, charity age UK warned.

Said up to 80 000 pensioners who rent private face to lose on average £ 12 per week in payments.

Age fears UK changes so the maximum payments are calculated let some with less money for food and heating.

But Grant Shapps Housing Minister rejected the allegations and older persons would be not worse.

Age UK says he is concerned people elderly people will be more difficult than others to move home or renegotiate their rent when reforms appear.

"Reckless".

Political Director Andrew Harrop said the BBC: "we know the Government estimates that are 80 000 seniors on all local housing allowance them lose out, losing an average £ 12 per week, some of them lose £ 30 per week."

"One of our concerns is the Government expects owners abandon their rent due to this policy and we know not if that happens."

National Association of the Landords said it was unrealistic to expect the owners reduce rents.

There is a very reasonable opportunity, the rents will be reduced, says Mr. Shapps

Director Richard Price said: "what will likely happen is that it will be an increasing number of owners who take HAL tenants at this time, simply do it in the future."

Housing benefit is paid to low-income people irrespective of the question of whether or not they work.

The coalition Government wants to introduce plugs ranging from £ 250 per week for those in a property of a Chamber £ 400 for those in a four bedroom property.

Mr. Shapps said there are three reasons why he believed that reforms would not be elderly people worse off the coast.

He said today the BBC Radio 4 program: "number one... There is a very reasonable that the owner can reduce chance much rentals."

Then, there is a large discretionary fund - 14 times its current - size help."

"And number three, even in a situation where a person leads on duty move... local housing allowance system means there's always up to one-third of the properties in your area that you can move."

The Department for work and pensions says it is committed to supporting the most vulnerable and provides for an increase in discretionary housing payments.

The Government says that spending on housing benefits are out of control, costs the Government around £ 21bn per year.

Work outlined reforms the as "reckless" coalition

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