Commons vote will be held today to determine the future of the Bedroom Tax.
Commons vote will be held today to determine the future of the Bedroom Tax
The latest government figures show that the coalition’s Bedroom Tax has cost thousands of low-income families an average of £1,260 since it was introduced in April 2013.
Around 500,000 people are currently being charged the Bedroom Tax, paying an average of £14 a week. Incredibly, two-thirds (330,000) of those hit are disabled and 60,000 are carers.
Labour have promised that their next government will repeal the Bedroom Tax. But they stress that the people being affected by it now cannot afford to wait that long, which is why they have forced a vote in the House of Commons.
The vote will take place today, and could mean that the Bedroom Tax is effectively abolished by Christmas.
Rachel Reeves MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary said:
“The Bedroom Tax is costing low-income families over £1,200, deepening the cost-of-living crisis for people who are struggling to make ends meet.
“The government’s own independent report into the Bedroom Tax found fewer than five per cent of people had moved to another home in the social rented sector and 60 per cent of people had fallen behind with their rent. The Bedroom Tax has failed – it’s yet another example of Tory Welfare Waste.”
Describing the tax as ‘cruel’ and ‘unfair’, Reeves urged MPs from all parties to vote in favour of scrapping the Bedroom Tax today.
49 Responses to “Bedroom Tax has cost low-income families an average of £1,260”
CharleyFarleyFive
Why?
Tom
Because clearly it’s relevant as to whether or not the bedroom tax is, in fact, a tax. If you think it’s not, you must have some definition which excludes it.
Keith M
What else is it then?
Keith M
Get real mate.
CharleyFarleyFive
Crikey you lefties are a bit odd sometimes. Reducing a benefit payment as a result of someone’s circumstances is not a tax.
Questions of such fatuous idiocy are typical of those that have become used to a culture of entitlement, those for whom money should only be given and not earned.