The architect of the government’s controversial bedroom tax was greeted by angry protestors in Manchester as he spoke at a national housing conference yesterday.
A group consisting of socialists, anti-capitalists and angry tenants stood outside Manchester Central from 9am yesterday morning to protest against the coalition’s welfare reforms.
The bedroom tax, a cut to the amount of benefit people can claim for if they have a spare bedroom, was met my widespread fury when it came into being in April this year.
Lord David Freud, the Conservative minister for welfare reform, spoke at the national Housing 2013 conference yesterday.
Mick Bennett, a volunteer for the Reclaim group, said: “I’m actively on the streets every day to try and lessen the impact of these policies in my community.
“We’re telling the government: do not impact on the most vulnerable sections of society.”
A sizeable group of protestors camped outside the main doors, holding banners and flags while a number of different speakers took it in turn to address the crowd.
The policy has affected thousands of residents across Greater Manchester, with an estimated 14,000 people in Manchester set to be worse off as a result.
Leader of Manchester City Council Sir Richard Leese went on record publicly criticising the welfare change, saying it will only serve to make poor families ‘even poorer’.
Protesters also presented a petition to Manchester City Council with 2,910 signatures, demanding action.
Another protester, using the pseudonym Rob, said: “We are opposed to the ill thought-out and cruel policy which Lord Freud has spearhead, the consequences of which will see forced evictions, destitution and homelessness.
“The Bedroom Tax is an unnecessary, ideologically motivated attack on individuals, families and communities in precarious living situations that neglects the complexities of people’s lives and punishes them for being poor.”
The protests coincided with the National Union of Teachers strike that was taking place in Manchester city centre.
Thousands of teachers, parents and union members gathered to complain about Education Secretary Michael Gove’s radical plans for changes to pay and working conditions.
Mick Bennett added: “I would just like to say to Lord Freund: come spend a week with us.
“This government is carrying out a scorched earth policy; they know the impact of welfare reform will not be wiped out by the next government.
“The changes will take more than five years to reverse, and they know that.”
Picture courtesy of PotatoJunkie, with thanks.
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