Bedroom tax takes a knock

OLDHAM MP Debbie Abrahams voted against the bedroom tax in Parliament on Friday.

The Oldham East and Saddleworth MP backed the Affordable Homes Bill and joined her Labour colleagues in affirming the party would scrap the controversial tax if elected in 2015.

The bill, introduced by backbench Lib-Dem MP Andrew George, aims to limit the scope of the policy which penalises council tenants considered to have more rooms than they need. The bill got through its second reading 306 votes in favour to 231.

Mrs Abrahams said: “The hated bedroom tax has caused hardship for hundreds of thousands of people across the country, costing low-income families an average of £700 a year.

“Unfortunately this vote will not abolish the bedroom tax, as Labour will do if elected next year, but it is a step in the right direction. David Cameron and Nick Clegg’s cruel and unfair bedroom tax has hit the poorest and most vulnerable in our community.”