Bedroom tax axe plan is praised

PLANS to scrap the controversial bedroom tax if Labour get into power have been welcomed by Oldham Cabinet member for finance, Councillor Abdul Jabbar.

Labour leader Ed Miliband has pledged that, if the party wins the next general election, it will ensure the end of the bedroom tax

Mr Miliband condemned the measure as “unfair” and argued the £470 million in expected savings could instead be achieved by closing tax loopholes.

Councillor Jabbar, who met Mr Miliband after his speech on the eve of the this week’s party conference in Brighton, congratulated him on the pledge, a measure which Oldham Council has been campaigning against since its introduction in April.

Councillor Jabbar said: “The bedroom tax has been similar to the poll tax in that it has hit those in need the hardest, particularly the disabled who have had their homes adapted for their needs.

“They deserve respect and not to be penalised for their medical and care needs.

“The people of Oldham have been suffering because of this terrible tax and the council has been putting its case forward to the government.

“We wanted them to know that people are struggling to find the funds to pay for this and are being threatened with eviction.”