100 young people across Cumbria stripped of housing benefit

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has slammed the Conservative government for removing housing benefit from 100 young people across Cumbria. The Liberal Democrats have committed to reversing the cut, which took effect from April 2017.

Research by the House of Commons Library commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has shown that 100 young people in Cumbria will be affected by the Conservative government's decision to strip 18-21 year olds of housing benefit, including 10 in Westmorland and Lonsdale.

In total 18,000 young people across the country are expected to be affected. Charities have warned that stripping 18-21 year-olds of housing benefits could push more young people onto the streets while research has shown it is likely to cost taxpayers more than it saves.

Tim said: "The heartless decision to strip under-21s of housing benefit risks pushing more young people in Cumbria onto the streets.

"Vulnerable youngsters with nowhere else to turn are being abandoned by this Conservative government. This nasty and counterproductive policy should be overturned immediately.

"Here in South Lakeland, the Lib-Dem run council is delivering on its plan to support local people by building 1000 affordable homes to rent. Yet the Conservative government in Westminster is slashing support for young people."