Housing benefits advice hits the road

10:50am Friday 1st February 2013 in Local

A MOBILE Advice Centre will be driving into Bolton on March 1 to give free information about the government’s Housing Benefit rule changes.

The latest changes start to take effect from April. Those who think they may be affected and need help can speak to an advisor from the “Help with Rent”.

The trained staff will be able to answer questions and help with housing options. They can also provide advice and support and can even help in talks with landlords.

The mobile centre is fully equipped with office facilities, including private interview rooms. It has a ramp for easy access and an induction loop system for those who use a hearing aid.

The centre will be in Victoria Square from 9am to 5pm.

Comments (5)

2:50pm Fri 1 Feb 13

boltonnut says...

Who the hell thinks up this crap?A mobile unit is supposed to be mobile,so they're going to make it imobile by sticking it in Victoria sq.Why not use one of the many vacant buidings in the down town area?It would make more sense for this unit to travel to the most affected areas,thats why it's mobile.This unit has a ramp for easy access but to access it some poor sod in a wheel chair has to navigate his or her way from the outer regions of Darcy Lever or some where,thats not easy.One more point,does this unit stay down town over night?or does some one get to actually drive it?Cause it may be gone in the morning.
Who the hell thinks up this crap?A mobile unit is supposed to be mobile,so they're going to make it imobile by sticking it in Victoria sq.Why not use one of the many vacant buidings in the down town area?It would make more sense for this unit to travel to the most affected areas,thats why it's mobile.This unit has a ramp for easy access but to access it some poor sod in a wheel chair has to navigate his or her way from the outer regions of Darcy Lever or some where,thats not easy.One more point,does this unit stay down town over night?or does some one get to actually drive it?Cause it may be gone in the morning. boltonnut

3:41pm Fri 1 Feb 13

piszoff says...

They can't set up shop in town you seen the cost of rent and business tax cost Guy Harkin an arm and a leg
They can't set up shop in town you seen the cost of rent and business tax cost Guy Harkin an arm and a leg piszoff

10:00pm Fri 1 Feb 13

Citizen Cane says...

Seems to be ok to spend taxpayers money on ways to help benefit recipients grab more benefits but not to advise taxpayers on ways to avoid taxation legally. It's time for a change.
Seems to be ok to spend taxpayers money on ways to help benefit recipients grab more benefits but not to advise taxpayers on ways to avoid taxation legally. It's time for a change. Citizen Cane

2:47pm Sat 2 Feb 13

Beyond News Forum says...

Give with the left take with the right. However i hope that people will be able to get jobs in this redundant town before we have a major crisis on our hands. It's fair to say the benefits culture needs to change but to make such sweeping changes in such a short period of time with so little job prospects in the town seems like a breach of human rights to me. You know the one about living in safety without forced poverty. Don't get of wrong i'm not big on the eu or echr but something smacks of help the rich kill off the poor.
Give with the left take with the right. However i hope that people will be able to get jobs in this redundant town before we have a major crisis on our hands. It's fair to say the benefits culture needs to change but to make such sweeping changes in such a short period of time with so little job prospects in the town seems like a breach of human rights to me. You know the one about living in safety without forced poverty. Don't get of wrong i'm not big on the eu or echr but something smacks of help the rich kill off the poor. Beyond News Forum

11:02am Sun 3 Feb 13

piszoff says...

The fact of the matter is that the giant portion of housing benefit ends up lining the pockets of landlords with rich buy-to-let portfolios. The latest census data shows that private rentals in inner London have grown close to 400,000. If private landlords in inner London alone were persuaded to reduce their rents by the same average percentage of say 20%, the housing benefit bill would be reduced to £21.14bn which is a cool extra billion in savings on housing benefit every year. This saving would increase to £1.9bn if all private landlords in Greater London participated, and £4.9bn if this was extended to landlords in England and Wales.
The fact of the matter is that the giant portion of housing benefit ends up lining the pockets of landlords with rich buy-to-let portfolios. The latest census data shows that private rentals in inner London have grown close to 400,000. If private landlords in inner London alone were persuaded to reduce their rents by the same average percentage of say 20%, the housing benefit bill would be reduced to £21.14bn which is a cool extra billion in savings on housing benefit every year. This saving would increase to £1.9bn if all private landlords in Greater London participated, and £4.9bn if this was extended to landlords in England and Wales. piszoff

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