Paying price of bedroom tax slumber

Date published: 19 December 2014


OLDHAM’S Labour MPs have slammed the Government for blocking an attempt to scrap the bedroom tax by Christmas.

The news comes after it emerged Oldhamers were being forced to pay an average of £14 a week to stay in their homes as there are not enough smaller properties for them to move into.

Around 74,000 residents in the North-West as a whole are affected by the tax.

Labour forced a debate and vote in parliament — but lost by 298 votes to 266.

Since the bedroom tax was introduced in April, last year, families have paid an average of £1,260 out in charges.

It is estimated 60 per cent of householders have fallen behind with their rent.

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams said: “We forced the debate so MPs of all parties had the chance to scrap this failing policy once and for all.

Cruel

“The fact that the motion to scrap the bedroom tax by Christmas was defeated highlights once again that this government wouldn’t be able to continue with its draconian policies if it wasn’t being propped up by the Liberal Democrats.

“Since the bedroom tax was introduced, around half a million low-income households have been forced to find an extra £700 a year.

“If Labour wins the 2015 election we will scrap the bedroom tax.”

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher added: “This is an enormous amount of money for people on the breadline and could be spent putting food on the table for their families or paying ever-increasing bills.

“We have a lack of one-bedroom properties in Oldham so people who have extra space and are being forced to pay the extra cost have no choice but to pay as moving is simply not an option for so many.

“The bedroom tax is deepening the cost-of-living crisis for those who are struggling to make ends meet. It is unfair and cruel.”