I propose to take Questions Nos. 1125 and 1144 together.
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
Under the Household Means Policy, local authorities have discretion to disregard income that is once-off, temporary or short-term in nature and which is outside the regular pattern of a person's annual income.
The day-to-day operation of the social housing system is a matter for the relevant local authority and local authorities are by law (Section 63(1) of the Local Government Act 2001) independent in the performance of their functions. As Minister, I am precluded by housing legislation from intervening in relation to the decisions made by local authorities in the provision of social housing support in relation to any individual application.
At present, the Household Means Policy is being reviewed as part of the broader social housing reform agenda, and I expect an updated version to issue to local authorities later this year.