Hundreds of social housing tenants in George Osborne’s own Tatton constituency are set to be hit by the so-called “bedroom tax”, reports Kevin Meagher.
Hundreds of social housing tenants in George Osborne’s own Tatton constituency are set to be hit by the so-called “bedroom tax”.
From April, social housing tenants claiming housing benefit will lose 14 per cent of the amount they receive for every room in their home that is deemed to be spare. And tenants with more than one spare room risk losing a quarter of their benefit.
Now one of the housing associations serving the Knutsford area in the chancellor’s political backyard is warning about the stark effects the change will have.
Tim Pinder, chief executive at Cheshire Peaks and Plains Housing Trust, told the Knutsford Guardian:
“Many of our customers are determined to stay in their homes despite the changes, but we fear this may lead to significant financial hardship.
“For some households this could mean having to choose between feeding their families and heating their homes.”
He estimates the bedroom tax will affect as many as 700 of its 5,000 residents.
Meanwhile, a second housing association in the area is predicting a rise in rent arrears as tenants struggle to make ends meet “during this difficult time”.
Stephen Porter, chief executive at Great Places Housing Group, said:
“There is no doubt that the changes… will hit some of our residents hard. Over the past year we’ve been working with them so they are prepared for the changes, which in some cases could mean downsizing to a smaller home.”
The National Housing Federation estimates 660,000 working age social tenants across the country will be affected by the bedroom tax. This represents 31 per cent of existing working age housing benefit claimants in the social housing sector. The majority have only one extra bedroom.
In cash terms, council tenants will lose, on average, £14 for their first spare room while housing association tenants will lose £16 a week, unless they downsize to a smaller property.
The fact people in the chancellor’s leafy Tatton seat – the wealthiest in the north of England – are set to be affected shows just how pervasive the impact of the bedroom tax will be.
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18 Responses to “Hundreds of families in Osborne’s own constituency set to lose out with ‘bedroom tax’”
Newsbot9
Yes, again, your inheritance makes you better in your eyes.
A more sensible approach is a very gradual withdrawal (say…1%) of rates for council houses, up to the local commercial rates. But nope, you have to try to throw people out, ensuring you get the slums you love so much!
Newsbot9
Huge price? Yes, society and NHS will end up paying far more to subsidise the people who you’re throwing out their houses, and to help the people you’ll make ill. You’re socialising your costs again.
And of course those stories are true. You just can’t face them.
LB
I want no corporate welfare. That’s your idea.
Bankrupt banks – go to the wall.
Subsidies for chronies – out of court. None.
All you seem to be in favour of is cheap housing for the 1% Bob Crow.
Newsbot9
That’s right, you want to try and make the poor pay a massive poverty premium. You want the economy to collapse to take the middle class down.
I want people to be able to aspire to better jobs, as you fight at every step of the way!
LB
So do I.
So why is the state taking so much cash off them, making them poor?
Living wage, over 4,000 quid taken off them before we get to VAT and the other taxes.