Bedroom tax 'will cut benefits to 6,000 disabled' in region
Almost 6,000 people in Devon and Cornwall hit by the Government's so-called "bedroom tax" are disabled, it has been claimed.
The National Housing Federation (NHF), which compiled the figures, wants the Government to exempt vulnerable people from the spare room penalty to be introduced next month.
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Opponents say those hit by a benefits cut of up to an average of £637 a year in some parts of Devon and Cornwall will be forced to find a new home – but finding a smaller home is impossible given the chronic shortage of properties.
Catherine Brabner, the NHF's South West manager, said: "The Government's bedroom tax is flawed and will unfairly penalise thousands of people in the South West who have lived in their homes for years, raised families and contributed to their communities.
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"The 'one-size-fits-all' approach takes no account of disabled people's adapted homes, of foster parents who need rooms to take children in, or of parents sharing custody who will lose the room for their child at weekends.
"In most areas, there just aren't enough smaller affordable homes for these families to move into to avoid the tax. Many people will find themselves having to move into more expensive privately rented properties – adding to the overall housing benefit bill."
She added: "The high housing benefit bill is because there are not enough affordable homes, so the best way to cut the bill is to build more."
The Western Morning News this week reported that 30,000 people in the wider South West would be hit by the cut to benefits for under-occupancy, according to the official impact assessment.
The NHF, which represents housing associations, estimates 9,170 of those are in Devon and Cornwall, and in turn 5,777 have disabilities. Ministers are determined to bring down Britain's bloated benefits bill, but have given councils more than £150 million to help vulnerable tenants.
Labour has warned the spare-room clampdown will hit a range of social groups, from households with relatives away serving in the armed forces to separated parents who keep a room so their children can stay.
The NHF says the Government's own estimate is that 63% of those affected are disabled, and that funding to offset the impact on the vulnerable will hand them as little as £1.71 a week.
Under the Government's proposals, people in social housing will receive a cut in housing benefit where they are deemed to have spare bedrooms.
Ministers dispute the term "bedroom tax" – arguing it is not a "tax" but a partial withdrawal of a state hand-out.
A Department for Work Pensions spokesman said: "Councils have been given an extra £155 million this year so that they can help their vulnerable tenants, with £30 million specifically targeted towards supporting disabled people who have modified their homes and foster carers.
"We need to ensure a better use of social housing when over a quarter of a million tenants are living in overcrowded homes and 2 million are on housing waiting lists."
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by bye_the_bye
Thursday, March 14 2013, 11:43AM
“@ omninoob
"You have successfully submitted a flag to the administrator for review" LOL”
by dlolevino
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 12:40PM
“@charlespk - please could you get in touch with me dlolevino@gmail.com - you said that you were a grandson of Andrew Henry - I am one of his Great Grandsons, this would make you my Uncle - I would be interested to hear from you
Dan”
by nickthompson
Tuesday, March 12 2013, 6:39PM
“"A former High Court judge has dismissed an appeal by shadow defence secretary
Liam Fox against a finding that he was overpaid more than £22,000 in parliamentary expenses for mortgage interest on his second home.
Dr Fox challenged the Legg Report's finding that he was overpaid by £22,476.03 after increasing the mortgage on his London flat from £120,000 to £300,000, using most of the capital to pay for a family home in his Woodspring constituency and to refurbish his second home.-----------------------------------So there we have it then,this would be thief coaching Dave, and Gideon on how to hurt the middle earner's the poor,not to mention our disabled, even more than they have already, I do hope those that voted for this parasite remember his utterings at the next General Election."”
by omnivore23
Tuesday, March 12 2013, 4:50PM
“There is only one lunatic left - Oh and talking of which - well done by the way, - Uncle Joe Stalin would be SO proud of you - pffft.
Anyway, so it looks like foster carers and families with members in the armed forces are to be exempted - and quite right too.
However - exemption for people with disabilities will be on a discretionary basis. Problem being of course is that local authorities will most likely have a duty to exercise their discretion, and no to "fetter" it by laying down criteria which is too broad in scope.
And this will involve - yes you guessed it - every bug-eyed tories favourite - red tape!!
MWAHAHAAAAA! The return of the admin officer !!!!!!
My point being - placing a duty on councils to exercise discretion might work out more expensive than allowing exemption for disabled people in set circumstances.”
by Charlespk
Tuesday, March 12 2013, 2:26PM
“Gordon Brown; Tony Blair's nemesis; is really a Tory!!! . . I've heard it all now!!!
Only the 'Lunatic Left' could make something like that up!!!!
One of the the first things Gordon Brown did when he became Chancellor was change the way Income Tax was collected from business, and virtually DOUBLE the amount of tax that was collected and spending it. . It's called screwing the business community, and we are all paying the price now. That's why Self-Assessment is such a minefield now and so many are being fined for late payment.”
by nickthompson
Tuesday, March 12 2013, 10:24AM
“by MisterDonut:
" Which party raised to bottom rate of tax from 10% to 25%. Hitting the low paid and disabled. Of course it was that nice labour party under the caring Gordon Brown."-------------------------------------------------I couldn't agree with you more, Gordon Brown a true TORY who presided over a government who carried out Tory policies (this being one of them) whilst masquarding as New Labour,and who were often criticised by real Tories for stealing their policies, but don't just take my word for it, read Hansard.”
by Charlespk
Monday, March 11 2013, 9:15PM
“By the way I've had to update my site Justin. Some rotters were using (stealing) my band width. . You can't trust anyone these days. . Even old friends try and cause trouble. :))”
by eu_blues
Monday, March 11 2013, 9:08PM
“Keep taking the tabs me old mucker.
atb
EU_Blues”
by Charlespk
Monday, March 11 2013, 8:58PM
“It's time you got back to your washing up Justin before your partner finds you been messing with her ipad again. . She was telling me she's been having trouble with you again.”
by eu_blues
Monday, March 11 2013, 8:39PM
“Take my word for it. I always tell the truth how ever uncomfortable." Charlespk
So ssssssays the sssssslipery tongue of Charles Henry.
O' Charles. The day you speak the truth will be the day when the white snow turns blue me old mucker.”