BENEFITS BACKDATING

That this House notes with concern proposals to cut the backdating period for pension credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit from 12 months to three months; considers that these changes are not supported by sufficient evidence and do not represent an improvement to the benefits system; further notes that a similar proposal was made in 2000 only to be withdrawn in the face of strong opposition and a highly critical report from the Social Security Advisory Committee; and calls on the Government to withdraw these proposals in order to prevent further hardship and even eviction.