Thousands 'at risk' from homelessness

Housing charity Crisis condemned the Cabinet's latest pitch as "unworkable and irresponsible," saying it would leave those from abusive, dysfunctional or overcrowded homes with nowhere to go.

Chief executive Leslie Morphy said in many cases young people on housing benefits were actively looking for work but faced a youth unemployment rate of 20.5 per cent.

But there was "no way" charities like hers could cope with demand if the move went ahead.

"It would be unworkable and irresponsible to withdraw housing benefit from under-25s at a time of high rents and youth unemployment.

"We fear that if housing support is abolished for people under 25 then tens of thousands of young people will be made homeless.

These are people who just need a little help as they start out on their adult lives, not an arbitrary and ill thought-through cut."

Around 383,000 young people are currently receiving housing benefit across Britain, averaging £93.94 a week, and more than half have children of their own.

In Scotland 34,950 under-25s receive housing benefits, including 5,150 in work, 9,870 who are seeking work and 2,950 who are sick or disabled.

Around 80,000 young people across Britain are now homeless, according to fellow charity Centrepoint.

But the Department for Work and Pensions told the Morning Star the charity was outlining "a very hypothetical situation.

"We're looking at a range of options for housing benefits. We will protect vulnerable people whatever happens," a spokesman said.