"Spiteful" bedroom tax will hit thousands in North-East, MP warns (From The Northern Echo)
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"Spiteful" bedroom tax will hit thousands in North-East, MP warns
4:47pm Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in News
By Robert Merrick, Parliamentary Correspondent
TENS of thousands of North-East families face the misery of leaving their homes - or a steep hike in living costs - because of a "spiteful" new benefit cut, an MP warned yesterday.
Phil Wilson, the Sedgefield MP, used a Commons debate to condemn the so-called 'spare bedroom tax', urging ministers to consider the chaos it will inflict on some of the poorest households, from April.
The shake-up will effectively charge social housing tenants for their spare rooms, cutting housing benefit by 14 per cent for one extra bedroom - or 25 per cent where there are two spare rooms.
The government insists the measure is needed to free up scarce larger social housing properties - in order to tackle overcrowding - and will cut £500m a year off the housing benefit bill.
But Mr Wilson said it was clear that County Durham - and most of the country - lacked the available housing to allow people to downsize.
The housing association Livin [CORR], formerly Sedgefield Borough Homes, had warned that 1,609 of its households would be hit by the 'bedroom tax - yet it had only 204 available one-bedroom properties.
Meanwhile, East Durham Homes, with properties in Wingate, Wheatley Hill, Thornley and Deaf Hill, predicted it would take seven years to rehouse all tenants affected.
Without smaller homes to move to, the tenants at both associations faced a £1.8m bill to cover their lost housing benefit - which was likely to plunge them into rent arrears.
Attacking the tax as "arbitrary, spiteful and deeply cynical", Mr Wilson highlighted the impact on a married couple with children who have grown up and left home.
He said: "They could be forced to leave the family home, because that is what it is - a family home, not just a house. They will have no space for the grandchildren, who will not be able to stay with their grandparents.
"The government plans are spiteful and cynical since the only way the half-a-billion will be saved is if those who live in under occupied properties cut their standard of living still further, trying to remain in their home."
But Steve Webb, the Liberal Democrat housing minister, said people affected should increase their hours at work, adding: "We are talking about a few hours extra a week".
And he pointed out that Durham County Council would receive £880,000 in the next financial year to help those in need - up from £177,000.
Mr Webb also defended expecting older teenagers to share bedrooms, saying: "I shared a bedroom with my brother until I was 18 and it didn't do me any demonstrable harm."
Andy McDonald revealed the case of David Holdsworth in his Middlesbrough constituency, a father-of-one paralysed from the waist down whose wife sleeps in their spare room, because of his disability.
Warning his wife may now be forced to move into a different one-bedroom property - breaking up the family - Mr McDonald said: "This is going to cause untold misery."
Comments are closed on this article.
Comments (72)
5:46pm Wed 23 Jan 13
stevegg says...
6:44pm Wed 23 Jan 13
loonyleft says...
8:08pm Wed 23 Jan 13
Gamechanger says...
8:27pm Wed 23 Jan 13
RShire says...
8:28pm Wed 23 Jan 13
Daza says...
8:45pm Wed 23 Jan 13
Andie68 says...
8:45pm Wed 23 Jan 13
mike1952 says...
9:58pm Wed 23 Jan 13
loan_star says...
10:52pm Wed 23 Jan 13
Jolly Roger says...
Us who live in our own houses down size when we get older to let others who need bigger home get them, so why cannot these people do it also.
I don't see why they should say we have lived here for ex number of years and it is MY home, no it is not it is the councils not yours, so if you want to continue living in it pay for it.
11:12pm Wed 23 Jan 13
kendizx9r says...
mr scrooge has nowt on this goverment
12:40am Thu 24 Jan 13
loonyleft says...
9:41am Thu 24 Jan 13
thehogman says...
I know of one person who is in possession of a 3 bed roomed council house however sleeps at a friends house every night barring none!, this has gone on for years; it's cases like this that keep needy families struggling in small unsuitable accommodation; that said it should also be made clear at the very beginning to all social housing tenants’ that as their family members grow and leave home their tenancy takes on a new leasing path, likewise these houses should not be past onto live at home lone adult offspring
12:13pm Thu 24 Jan 13
Quakerz says...
If you're just a couple and the kids have left home you need a 1 bedroom house under these regulations. There are simply not enough 1 bedroom houses, so you could end up downsizing from a 3 bedroom to a 2 bedroom (more of them available) and you would still be charged for the extra room. How is that fair, if you've voluntarily agreed to downsize?
I have a housing association house through Livin, and have 2 kids, a boy and a girl. Therefore I have a 3 bedroomed house. And over the years I've put a lot of time and effort in making it nice...I don't really want to move when the kids have grown up and left home. But I understand the housing situation, and the need to free up space for families.
That said, the way people are going to pay for unoccupied bedrooms is through having their housing benefit and council tax cut, so this move is not going to affect all tenants.
I don't claim any housing or council tax benefit, because I'm working and earn enough to not need it, so in theory I have no benefit to cut, and no cost to myself. No reason to move out then.
As many people will be the same situation as me, not claiming benefits - the housing situation won't be eased that much at all, therefore I conclude that is just another scheme by the Tories to marginalise those on benefits, and make their lives more difficult. They're hitting the poorest people yet again, the people who can't afford to be hit.
12:58pm Thu 24 Jan 13
behonest says...
How will this measure free up larger social housing, if there are no smaller houses to move into? It won't - so it will just be another Tory tax.
Of course it's spiteful. And, as usual, the Tory taxes hit the poorest and most vulnerable.
As for the utter rubbish that the Lib Dem is quoted as spouting, 'people affected should increase their hours at work', will he guarantee that everyone will be entitled to do this? Of course he won't, 'cos he can't.
The Lib Dem also said: "I shared a bedroom with my brother until I was 18 and it didn't do me any demonstrable harm." I think we'd all disagree with that pal, you joined the Lib Dems.
3:19pm Thu 24 Jan 13
Darlogirl1 says...
If you live in a council property and you have 2 rooms spare you should be looking at moving out or pay more . There is so many people in overcrowded properties in Darlington never mind around UK. What everyone needs to remember if you live in these houses you do not own them and actually have no rights at all.
Im sick of people on here who are moaning and having ago at any one who dares to agree with the Tories, we have sat back and watched the Government over the years drag our country into despair and FINALLY a man who is backing our country and trying to dig us out.
Cuts have to be had yes ONLY because Labour all but killed this country.
Go Cameron long may you stand....And before any one whines on I was brought up in a council house with a single mother who worked her back side of bringing up us kids.
And please don’t say there is no jobs now because of Tories as this is blatantly not the case this is because of Labour ….am I the only one who sees this???? I shake my head when I read peoples comments!!
3:51pm Thu 24 Jan 13
victorjames says...
3:55pm Thu 24 Jan 13
victorjames says...
3:55pm Thu 24 Jan 13
greenfinger says...
4:46pm Thu 24 Jan 13
behonest says...
The Tories know this but are happy to say that even if you want to move down, but you are told you cannot, we Tories will still cut your benefit by 25%. Fair play? And they can't rent the rooms out 'cos that will get their benefit removed.
Mind you, all benefit claimants have 2 foreign holidays a year, drive BMWs, smoke 60 a day, drink 10 pints a day and own 50inch plasma TVs. Must be true, my local Tory MP told me so.
5:16pm Thu 24 Jan 13
Mythought1 says...
5:39pm Thu 24 Jan 13
IanfromCrook says...
Not to mention the divorced couples that will no longer be able to share custody Britain may have had a few cracks but it is the Tories that are holding the sledgehammer.
5:57pm Thu 24 Jan 13
Mythought1 says...
6:14pm Thu 24 Jan 13
Adam Walker says...
Would this be the same Phil Wilson who campaigned to keep the Post Offices open under some media hype, photos, T-shirt wearing etc. and then voted to close them in Westminster? I wouldn’t trust him or any of the other professional fascists who lord over us. Welcome to Orwell’s 1984. Best get used to it folks, its going to get a lot lot worse.
7:28pm Thu 24 Jan 13
Jonn says...
1 billion benefit fraud or 70 billion tax avoidance a year. Which one should take priority?
14 trillion hidden away in tax havens. Does this not concern you?
1 trillion given to the banking sector so they can carry on their corrupt practices. Do you not mind that you are financing this?
MP's having tax payer subsidised bars and restaurants while record numbers are using food banks.
Some 'scrounger' has an extra bedroom, lets make them pay more money or kick them out.
Many of you have got your priorities all wrong.
All the money is being sucked out of this country and going to the top.
7:48pm Thu 24 Jan 13
Mythought1 says...
8:13pm Thu 24 Jan 13
gramps427 says...
8:32pm Thu 24 Jan 13
spragger says...
If you want a house for life, buy one with the money you have earned.
This will help prevent building houses in the daftest of places, probably in your back garden, or over the fence, or the dales.
It was about time this misuse of taxpayer funded resources was dealt with
8:35pm Thu 24 Jan 13
Mythought1 says...
8:58pm Thu 24 Jan 13
loonyleft says...
9:05pm Thu 24 Jan 13
loonyleft says...
9:09pm Thu 24 Jan 13
loonyleft says...
11:17pm Thu 24 Jan 13
tomtopper says...
They need to be offered barrack style accommodation only, the new breed of workshy.. Never happen, but an interesting concept nonetheless...
7:54am Fri 25 Jan 13
Adam Walker says...
I wonder if those with 6 different wives in 6 different homes in their no-go area with scores of kids, paid for by the tax payer will also be affected or whether they will be left alone by the authorities for fear of them being labelled racist.
We could also stop sending tens of billions of pounds of our tax money to foreign countries, leave the EU, pull out of foreign conflicts and stop providing an international health service. We could do a lot more to make things better for us. Its not difficult, its not rocket science, its just common sense. Stroll on the time when our elected politicians look after us for a change.
11:09am Fri 25 Jan 13
loonyleft says...
12:06pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Starteck2002 says...
12:39pm Fri 25 Jan 13
aquickrant says...
dren etc but cant afford it, then be paying through there taxe's for someone receiving council housing benefit to have that spare room. This needs to happen. Too many people who have large properties and only have 1-2 occupents is causing the property shortfall. And all the rubbish about it being a 'family home' for those who have left home is rubbish. What about people who still have familys at home but cant get a 'family home' because these people are holding onto the larger properties?
1:32pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Fossildog says...
2:51pm Fri 25 Jan 13
loonyleft says...
3:31pm Fri 25 Jan 13
TaxpayerofDarlo says...
3:35pm Fri 25 Jan 13
greenfinger says...
4:26pm Fri 25 Jan 13
loonyleft says...
6:34pm Fri 25 Jan 13
ajtib3 says...
Kids have left now -will they have to move out?
6:42pm Fri 25 Jan 13
spragger says...
- Get off the hard working taxpayers back
- So many people, so many whinges, so great an expectation someone will keep 'em
7:01pm Fri 25 Jan 13
loonyleft says...
7:18pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Duke of Aycliffe says...
I bought my 3 bedroom house because it is what I could afford, I would like a 6 bedroom detached but I can't afford it, & I don't expect the taxpayer to pay for it.
When I'm very flush with cash I'm pretty generous with my kids pocket money. Like everyone else I've had to cut back so, less pocket money, fewer days out, packed Sky in, we no longer eat out, etc.
Why should benefits claimants be any different? Also, I'm sick of hearing about immigrants swamping the NE. The Eastern Europeans came & did the factory & shift work that a lot of British people didn't want.
The UK is basically broke, too many taking out & not enough putting back in. Simples.
7:37pm Fri 25 Jan 13
victorjames says...
9:11pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Starteck2002 says...
9:51pm Fri 25 Jan 13
c.o.p.d.sufferer says...
9:52pm Fri 25 Jan 13
vercingetorix says...
9:56pm Fri 25 Jan 13
c.o.p.d.sufferer says...
10:00pm Fri 25 Jan 13
c.o.p.d.sufferer says...
3:45am Sat 26 Jan 13
Fossildog says...
Or are you saying that the government is just tinkering around the edges of the issue and they should make savage cuts?
5:20am Sat 26 Jan 13
BMD says...
It is common knowledge that overseas cultures have larger families, therefore when the indigenous residents are forced into bed-sits or smaller accommodation, the vacant properties will be available for our migrant neighbours.
Usually larger properties have gardens, which will also accommodate the goats and chickens.
12:24pm Sat 26 Jan 13
greenfinger says...
8:09pm Sat 26 Jan 13
Starteck2002 says...
I'm sure in a year or two we will see massive homelessness, housing associations and councils with an abundance or empty property that they can only give to the kids with 6 kids due to new rules, private landlords unwilling to rent to benefit claimants due to the risks of not getting rent and some very wealthy debt collection agencies and a bogged down small claims legal system.
I understand we have a national debt so as a nation we should first be stopping this Government wasting money as all I see is them hitting the wrong people all the time.
6:44am Sun 27 Jan 13
George19 says...
1:34pm Sun 27 Jan 13
tomtopper says...
2:58pm Sun 27 Jan 13
rainbow socks says...
6:04pm Sun 27 Jan 13
greenfinger says...
9:35pm Sun 27 Jan 13
Jen204 says...
It did not mention that not a single Tory or Libdem MP bothered to turn up for it.
Just shows how bothered they are about making poor people even poorer.
8:22am Mon 28 Jan 13
Jonn says...
Not one person should suffer until all those bankster criminals who comitted the crime of the century are locked up behind bars and paid every penny back.
10:43am Mon 28 Jan 13
Auldgadgey says...
"Look over there, don't look up here"
4:29pm Mon 28 Jan 13
Copley23 says...
I saved and bought my property....and still am paying for it.
I would LOVE to live in say...Egglestone or Romaldkirk.....or even in the Yorkshire Dales.
But guess what, I can't afford it. I work hard and pay my way.
So time and again I am incensed by headlines that read 'Affordable Homes to be built...' in areas that I could only aspire to.
Guess what, it's a hard world. If I couldn't afford my mortgage, I would have to sell up.
Nice opener Stevegg. Although I have digressed a little, I agree with you entirely.
This is nothing to do with politics, it's to do with fairness.
5:14pm Mon 28 Jan 13
greenfinger says...
5:31pm Mon 28 Jan 13
simmo707 says...
Having watched ‘Pats Petition’ being debated in Parliament it was farcical ,the Labour MP who brought it up did not present it as the worded petition we all signed and it took Cameron approximately 1 minute to dismiss it ,so much for Petitions .We all agree that the Government are acting inhumanely and immorally ,in certain circumstances you have to fight fire with fire .We have two basic scenario’s .Councils cannot rehouse all those tenants that the Bedroom Tax applies to and cannot afford it .Those that will pay it because they are too attached to their homes and will not move although it will be a struggle .What happens if you all collectively refuse to move and refuse to pay the Bedroom Tax.
The Bedroom Tax will have to be reviewed because Local Councils would throw the ball back into the Governments hands .The Poll Tax caused riots and was amended ,riots engage violence ,non compliance is a legal method of showing discontent .How did women eventually receive the vote .What about the Jarrow March .ACTIONS speak louder than words .The by word for 2013 should be NON COMPLIANCE ,they don’t have enough bailiff’s or court time to deal with just your forum all at once never mind other groups .
www.brokenbritainund
ertories.com
6:05pm Mon 28 Jan 13
greenfinger says...
8:35pm Mon 28 Jan 13
Bumbleb43 says...
8:45pm Mon 28 Jan 13
Bumbleb43 says...
We all have to economise.
11:23pm Mon 28 Jan 13
outragedofmiltonkeynes says...
9:20am Tue 29 Jan 13
bishoplass says...
7:05pm Tue 29 Jan 13
Jonn says...
Unfortunately, Mr Cameron comes from a long line of stock that are bred to have nothing but contempt for the majority of the population and so he does not give a toss about you or me in the slightest.
When a multi millionaire with a multi millionairess wife claim DLA for their disabled son then you have to seriously question their priorites and morals especially as his Government are now slashing said benefit. If you watched lastnights Panorama, you could not fail to be shocked at how one poor girl with severe learning difficulties and disabilities was declared fit for work. Would Cameron ever have let his son go through the same process? Would he hell.
You think these cuts are saving all the tax payers money? Do some unbiased research. The money is purely being redirected from the benefits system to large businessess and corporations. Tory party donors winning huge DWP contracts to profiteer at the expense of the unemployed, disabled, sick and mentally ill.
You must be so proud of your leader.
And, if you think Mr Cameron and his Government are running the show, making the big decisions, then you need to look again.
8:33pm Tue 29 Jan 13
bobby3 says...