THE THIRD PARTY DEDUCTIONS SCHEME

That this House notes that people in England, Wales and Scotland who receive income-based jobseeker's allowance or income support or pension credit may, under the third party deductions scheme, have deductions made from their benefits for housing costs including rent arrears, council tax arrears, gas, electricity and water charges, fines and child support maintenance; notes that the consensus amongst consumer organisations is that the scheme is very useful to those using it; notes that in Northern Ireland access to it is wider than in the rest of the UK; further notes that it will apply to the income-related element of the new employment and support allowance; believes that its role in helping to manage household incomes should also apply to the sick, disabled and vulnerable; and therefore calls upon the Government to extend the facility to existing claimants of incapacity benefit as well as new claimants of the employment and support allowance.