Higher-earning tenants in social housing to pay more in UK budget

London

CHANCELLOR of the Exchequer George Osborne is likely to start his crackdown on welfare in Wednesday's budget by making higher-earning tenants in taxpayer-subsidised housing pay market rent.

From 2017, people earning more than £40,000 (S$83,000) in London and £30,000 in the rest of England living in housing association or local authority housing will no longer be able to claim state subsidies for their rent, according to a Conservative Party official who asked not to be identified in line with British government practice. They will instead be charged rent in line with or close to market rates.