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”
Leon Wolfeson
Rot. LHA is very clear on bedrooms, it’s not the same definition at all.
Moreover, there’s no reduction in HB for a living room.
Tom
Why? The question of nomenclature is immaterial to the real issue, which is that the Government’s actions are profoundly unjust. It does seem to me though, that someone who was pushing an agenda would seek to dismiss all that by quibbling over a phrase.
CharleyFarleyFive
Of course it’s not immaterial, it’s cynical politicking designed to appeal to those too ignorant to understand or without time to examine the policy.
It’s difficult to discuss the relative merits or otherwise of the scheme with those who clearly approach it with an agenda by intentionally misrepresenting it.
It’s not a tax, never has been and if people wish to have a grown up debate about it they should do so without falling for such petty propaganda.
Tom
I suppose you think the Poll Tax had everyone rioting in sympathy with YouGov?
If you have any evidence, even anecdotal, that support for the bedroom tax increases when people examine it more fully, then please share.
Otherwise, you’re just assuming that the only reason people would disagree with you is because they’re ignorant. Might be a classic right-wing view, but it won’t wash here.
CharleyFarleyFive
I’m not arguing about the merits or otherwise of the policy, I’m pointing out that it’s not a tax.