Bedroom Tax is causing ‘misery and hardship’, said Oldham’s East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams as the affordable homes bill was voted to the next stage in parliament today.
The Liberal Democrat-sponsored bill, which passed 306 to 231 in a debate in parliament today, will preclude anyone from the Bedroom Tax unless they can be found a smaller home to move to.
Bedroom Tax was introduced on April 1, 2013 and cuts the benefits for people living in council or housing association homes if they are deemed to have a spare bedroom.
“David Cameron and Nick Clegg’s cruel and unfair Bedroom Tax has hit the poorest and most vulnerable in our community,” Ms Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth said.
“Despite the clear evidence that the Bedroom Tax is causing misery, hardship and forcing thousands to rely on food banks, the Lib Dems and Tories have voted again and again in favour of it.
“If this government won’t ditch the Bedroom Tax, then the next Labour government will.”
Mark Krantz, secretary of the Anti-Bedroom Tax Federation said the disabled have been very badly affected by the Bedroom Tax.
He said: “Those who live in mansions and have second homes are taking money from poorer people’.
“They are the ones that caused this mess and they are taking it out on those that don’t have anything.
“Disabled people who can’t work have been very badly affected by the bill. They are still workers. They are just out of work. It is not their fault they are disabled.”
Today’s vote split the coalition with Labour and the Liberal Democrats joining together in order to force through the bill.
Kate Green, MP for Stretford & Urmston said: “David Cameron and Nick Clegg’s cruel and unfair Bedroom Tax has hit the poorest and most vulnerable in our community.
“Despite the clear evidence that the Bedroom Tax is causing misery, hardship and forcing thousands to rely on food banks, the Lib Dems and Tories have voted again and again in favour of it.
“If this government won’t ditch the Bedroom Tax, then the next Labour government will.”
The new amendments will exempt disabled people who have adapted their residences and those who have not received a reasonable offer of alternative accommodation from the tax.
Labour’s shadow secretary of state for work and pensions, Rachel Reeves MP agreed added: “There wouldn’t be a Bedroom Tax if it wasn’t for the Lib Dems.
“The only way to cancel the Bedroom Tax is to elect a Labour government next year.”
Image courtesy of UK Parliament, with thanks.
