Food or bedroom tax choice for poor - Meacher

MORE than 1,600 Oldham families have to find extra cash each week to pay the “bedroom tax” — and thousands are on waiting lists for one-bed properties.

The figures have been uncovered by Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher, who has repeatedly called for the bedroom tax to be scrapped. The Labour veteran says it forces families to choose between eating and making the payments.

Over 910 local households of the almost 1,700 on housing benefit have reduced benefit because they live in social housing and have a spare bedroom. As the figures only cover those families getting help to pay their rent, the total number of families facing the bedroom tax will be much higher.

Mr Meacher said: “Families pay about £14 a week for the tax, an enormous amount of money for people on the breadline.”

Moving isn’t an option for most because there is nowhere to move to. Almost 5,900 familes are on the list for vacant one-bedroom homes.

Mr Meacher added: “This Tory-Lib Dem government imposed the bedroom tax on families who are already struggling with the cost of living crisis. Even the Government’s own studies have shown people have to cut back on essentials to pay the tax.”

Hardship payments made from the Government to councils aim to help those hit by the bedroom tax and other welfare changes but it will be cut by 25 per cent from April.