Drew Tinsley's concerns about the proposed changes to the housing benefit system, for which Brighton and Hove is acting as a pathfinder, are misplaced (Letters, October 28).

The new system will pay a flat-rate allowance, derived from a middle point between high and low rents in the city, directly to the tenant.

This will enable tenants to choose the best rent deal they can get, empowering people to make choices for their own lives rather than having choices made for them.

I would suggest, given a choice, claimants will optimise their accommodation rather than trade down.

Of course, basic housing standards will still be enforced through law and maintained through the work of the environmental health department.

However, I also point out that the only way of successfully modernising such a complex system and identifying possible problems is through such pilot projects.

I am pleased our city will be central to that, contributing to the testing and implementation of a reform that offers a fairer, more transparent system.

-Ivor Caplin MP, House of Commons, London SW1