Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what support he is providing to the four local authorities selected for the initial implementation of the benefit cap; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Hoban: The benefit cap project team are working closely with the four local authorities involved in phased rollout to support the implementation of the cap.

A senior Jobcentre Plus Account Manager has been appointed in each of the four London boroughs to coordinate local engagement and support, supported by an Implementation Manager working with the four local authorities and DWP benefit cap project team members.

Jobcentre Plus staff have also been co-located in local authority premises to assist households likely to be impacted by the cap and ensure they have access to a wide range of support.

In line with the commitments we have made previously to support phased rollout, DWP has also agreed additional funding of over £2 million to be paid to the four local authorities. This funding takes account of the additional resources they are deploying to successfully implement the benefit cap in April as part of the phased rollout approach.