MP’s will vote today 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.
Simon Bowkett, Labour PPC for South Dorset said:
“For the vast majority of those affected by this policy, there is simply 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. Instead of reducing the housing benefit bill, there is now a risk the Bedroom Tax will actually cost the taxpayer 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.
Today UK Labour is challenging the government to accept that it has got this policy wrong – and I am calling on Richard Drax to stand up for the most vulnerable in our South Dorset communities and defy his government whips.”
The Labour Party has pledged to repeal the Bedroom Tax without extra borrowing. To cover the £470m cost of repealing the Bedroom Tax, funds have been earmarked from:
- Reversing George Osborne’s recent tax cut for hedge funds announced in Budget 2013;
- Reversing George Osborne’s “shares for rights” scheme which has been rejected by businesses, has opened up a tax loophole and will lead to £1bn being lost to the Exchequer according to the Office for Budget Responsibility; and
- Tackling disguised employment in the construction industry.
Notes
There are an estimated 517 households affected by bedroom tax in South Dorset.
The average additional charge for 1 spare bedroom in South Dorset is £639, and £1,142 for 2 bedrooms.
The lack of smaller homes to move to, coupled with increased unaffordability of larger homes, is leading some housing associations and authorities to consider demolishing affordable homes. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/nov/10/bedrooom-tax-affordable-homes-face-demolition
