The mythical world of housing benefit

"How can we justify giving flats to young people who have never worked...?" Err, you don't have to justify it, Mr Osborne. Because that's not what happens.

The Chancellor's rhetorical question to the Conservative Party conference rested on a widespread myth. Don't laugh, but it goes like this. An unemployed young person who fancies living independently finds a place to live. They can't afford it, not with Jobseeker’s Allowance of £56.25 a week. But that's not a problem in this mythical world. They move in and tell the council how they're fixed.

“Relax,” say the helpful folk at the housing benefit office. "Don't worry about a thing. We'll pay the rent for you." It's not exactly giving someone a flat - in the sense of signing over the leasehold. But it is the next best thing.

If conference-goers want to believe this, that's up to them. It's a free country. You can believe whatever you want. But it would be a shame if any young people thought that this is how the welfare benefits system works. It could be a lot worse than a shame if they act accordingly - perhaps moving to a big city looking for work and figuring that they can get by in the short term with housing benefit covering the rent.

Back in the real, non-mythical world, young people under the age of 35 with no dependents who live in private rented accommodation and qualify for housing benefit will be paid up to a maximum amount, set locally.

For instance, in Doncaster the maximum you can get is £53 a week. In York it is £65 a week. In Islington, Camden or Willesden it's £88.50 a week. In Blaenau Gent it is £45 and £58.85 in West Lothian.

Here's the quick and simple route to discover the rate for any area in Britain: