Suicide threat over bedroom tax

Oldham Council
One person has already threatened to take their own life as a result of the bedroom tax benefit changes, councillors heard last night.

Councillor David Hibbert told the full Oldham Council meeting the benefit change it was a “disastrous measure” for Oldham and wasn’t achieving the savings the Government had expected.

He said: “Desperate people have been calling housing call centres for help, and one operator spent an hour and a half trying to persuade someone not to commit suicide.

“There are probably few people in this council chamber who would argue with downsizing, but this is the wrong way to do it.

Councillor Abdul Jabbar called for council support to press for the abolition of bedroom tax, introduced in April. The “tax” affects 2,334 Oldham homes, 1,961 of which have one empty bedroom and 376 two spare bedrooms. Councillor Jabbar said two out of three are estimated to have a family member with a disability.

People who can’t pay the bedroom tax - technically a cut in benefit rather than a tax - must move to a smaller property, but with a shortage of small properties in social housing, it isn’t always an option. Moving to a private rented house backfires on the government, since rents are higher and the government must find more in housing benefit.

Concern was also raised about people with disabilities who needed a spare bedroom for a carer to sleep in on occasion, for people who had family members visiting and staying overnight, and for the families of servicemen and women who were serving overseas but needed a bedroom on their return.

Councillor Garth Harkness criticised the use of the phrase “bedroom tax” since it is actually a benefit reduction - but council leader Councillor Jim McMahon retorted: “We represent the people of Oldham and the people of Oldham call it a bedroom tax. This is about the public of Oldham knowing that their council is batting in their corner.”

Chief executive Charlie Parker has been asked to write to the government on the council’s behalf with an urgent request to abolish the policy.