Clause 8 - Review of decisions as to suitability of accommodation
Homelessness Bill
5:45 pm
Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham, Conservative)
My point is not that the housing officer will not have to change his ways, because officially what the Minister says is right. However, we know that a housing officer has the leeway and discretion to say, ``Well, if you don't go along with this, you're entitled to a review, but it won't help your case.''
In addition, the Minister says that the council will conduct the review, but could the review panel include the housing officer who made the offer in the first place? Where is the independence and objectivity of the review process?