This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/davehillblog/2013/mar/04/new-policy-institute-london-housing-benefit

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
London housing crisis: a closer look at those recent housing benefit statistics London housing crisis: a closer look at those recent housing benefit statistics
(7 months later)
The recent government data showing a large rise in the total number of London households claiming housing benefit, but sharp falls in the two most expensive expensive boroughs has been looked at in close detail by number crunchers at the New Policy Institute.The recent government data showing a large rise in the total number of London households claiming housing benefit, but sharp falls in the two most expensive expensive boroughs has been looked at in close detail by number crunchers at the New Policy Institute.
Green Party AM Darren Johnson said the stats suggested that low income Londoners are being forced out of central London areas as a result of the coalition's housing benefits national cap and local cuts came into effect in April 2011. The NPI's analysis finds that there are "emerging differences within areas as well as between them."Green Party AM Darren Johnson said the stats suggested that low income Londoners are being forced out of central London areas as a result of the coalition's housing benefits national cap and local cuts came into effect in April 2011. The NPI's analysis finds that there are "emerging differences within areas as well as between them."
For example, it detects signs of people moving within borough boundaries as well as across them, "from the more expensive to the cheaper parts," and that London may be becoming "more unequal within areas." Summing up with reference to other readings of recent figures, it says:For example, it detects signs of people moving within borough boundaries as well as across them, "from the more expensive to the cheaper parts," and that London may be becoming "more unequal within areas." Summing up with reference to other readings of recent figures, it says:
The is a clear indication from these trends that whilst people on low incomes are able to cope with having their housing benefit restricted to the cheapest 30% of properties, when the level is set even lower than this they cannot. It appears that the national cap is making parts of London a no-go zone for people on low incomes.The is a clear indication from these trends that whilst people on low incomes are able to cope with having their housing benefit restricted to the cheapest 30% of properties, when the level is set even lower than this they cannot. It appears that the national cap is making parts of London a no-go zone for people on low incomes.
You can read the NPI's full analysis here. It doesn't seem inconsistent with a prediction made to me by one London housing expert about the impact of the housing benefit changes when they were announced: that some people would move long distances to somewhere cheaper, some would move shorter distances to somewhere cheaper or smaller, and some would stay put and make ends meet by spending less on other things.You can read the NPI's full analysis here. It doesn't seem inconsistent with a prediction made to me by one London housing expert about the impact of the housing benefit changes when they were announced: that some people would move long distances to somewhere cheaper, some would move shorter distances to somewhere cheaper or smaller, and some would stay put and make ends meet by spending less on other things.
It all underlines that the impact of housing benefit reform in the capital is more varied and complex than the headline story of the poor being exported to the poorer suburbs and beyond, although that is part of the picture and may become a still more conspicuous one once the forthcoming household benefit cap comes into effect. It also hints that much of that impact will go undetected by official figures - as invisible as many of its victims.It all underlines that the impact of housing benefit reform in the capital is more varied and complex than the headline story of the poor being exported to the poorer suburbs and beyond, although that is part of the picture and may become a still more conspicuous one once the forthcoming household benefit cap comes into effect. It also hints that much of that impact will go undetected by official figures - as invisible as many of its victims.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.