Letter: Housing reform

Sir: If ministers have decided ("Blair in U-turn on housing benefit", 6 December) that they cannot control the levels of rents by measures designed to limit housing benefit, they are right. They are indeed serious problems, but they are in the housing market not in housing benefit.

The problem is a severe lack of housing available at affordable rents. Attempts to change this by alterations to the benefits system are attempts to shoot the messenger. If the Government decide that this messenger is to be spared, I will congratulate them.

Earl RUSSELL

Liberal Democrat Social Security Spokesman

House of Lords