For the vast majority of those affected by this policy, there is nowhere smaller to move to, meaning often vulnerable people are faced with an average bill of £720 a year through no fault of their own. Swindon Tenants Action estimate just over 100 people have moved to smaller homes because of the Bedroom Tax but up to 1,000 others in Swindon can't move because there are no vacant smaller properties available now.
MP’s will vote today (Tuesday) on a Labour motion calling for an immediate abolition of the ‘bedroom tax’ – a measure imposed by the Coalition Government that they say will free up unused social housing stock, and critics oppose as ‘unjust and unworkable’ due to the number of smaller properties not living up to demand. The Bedroom Tax affects over 400,000 disabled people nationwide, and around 30,000 people in the South West.
The National Labour Party’s move comes in the same week as Swindon council debated, and narrowly defeated, a similar motion.
Anne Snelgrove Parliamentary Candidate for South Swindon said: “For the vast majority of those affected by this policy, there is nowhere smaller to move to, meaning often vulnerable people are faced with an average bill of £720 a year through no fault of their own. Swindon Tenants Action estimate just over 100 people have moved to smaller homes because of the Bedroom Tax but up to 1,000 others in Swindon can't move because there are no vacant smaller properties available now.
“Instead of reducing the housing benefit bill, there is now a risk the Bedroom Tax will cost more than it saves. The Government are penalising disabled people and their loved ones – that’s why Labour have promised to repeal the policy in Government, and have set out clear plans to pay for it – our plans are not only fair but make sense.”
The Labour Party have pledged to repeal the Bedroom Tax without extra borrowing. To cover the £470m cost of repealing the Bedroom Tax, funds have been earmarked from: