Tenants urge minister to think again about 'bedroom tax'
A disabled woman and her partner have written to a minister urging a rethink on plans to cut benefits for tenants deemed to have spare rooms
Disabled child to lose her own room under 'bedroom tax'
The benefit cut for social housing tenants will put 'unbearable' pressure on families with a disabled child.
Foster carers hit by 'bedroom tax'
Bedrooms in some foster homes will be classified as vacant, but the government insists funding for foster carers will be protected.
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Leeds Council saves 800 households from 'bedroom tax'
In an attempt to save more than 800 households from being subject to the new 'bedroom tax' Leeds City Council are changing the designation of some rooms in council houses to reduce the amount of under-occupation.
The move will see 837 houses have the number of bedrooms re-designated and tenants that have lost out on their housing benefits will get a refund backdated to 1 April 2013.
Housing benefit claimants have their benefit cut by 14% for those deemed to have one extra bedroom and 25% for claimants with two or more spare bedrooms.
However if the rooms in the home are not 'bedrooms' they will not fall foul of the new rules.
Read more: What is the government's controversial 'bedroom tax'?
The council say the move is being made to ensure the homes, "offer the right layout and design for modern living."
Councillor Peter Gruen said: “It seems that some of the properties are not sustainable moving forward and their layout does not support the current bedroom designation.
“The move to look at this change has been in part prompted by welfare changes and looking at ways to help all tenants across the city."
Report: Claim surge follows 'bedroom tax'
The number of people claiming extra handouts from councils to meet housing costs has soared following the introduction of the so-called "bedroom tax", figures have revealed.
More than 25,000 people applied for discretionary housing payments (DHP) to help cover their rent in April, compared with 5,700 in the same month last year, according to an analysis of 51 councils by The Independent.
The Government has substantially increased the DHP funding pot for local authorities to help those most affected by the withdrawal of what ministers call the "spare room subsidy".
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Court told 'bedroom tax' regulations flawed
Martin Westgate QC, appearing for the 10 test cases, told two judges the regulations were flawed as they failed to deal with the needs of the disabled and the amount of space and the number of rooms they realistically needed if they were not to suffer discrimination because of their disabilities.
– Martin Westgate QCEach of the claimants has a need, because of disability, to occupy accommodation larger than that which would be allowed to them under the size criteria.
The key point is that benefit must match need for accommodation size where that need has been identified.
In a three-day hearing, he is asking the court to rule that the new regulations breach Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects against discrimination.
He also argues that the Work and Pensions Secretary, has failed to comply with his public equality duty under the 2010 Equality Act and the discriminatory element in the regulations must be quashed.
'Bedroom tax' protesters at the High Court
Disabled adults and families with disabled children are challenging the legality of the Government's so-called "bedroom tax", arguing that it unlawfully discriminates against them.
Lawyers in 10 cases at London's High Court are seeking a ruling that the regulations, introduced on 1st April, "unjustifiably discriminate against housing benefit claimants who are disabled or care for disabled family members".
Outside court protesters gathered in support of the families.
DWP insists 'spare room subsidy' is lawful
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) rejects the "bedroom tax" tag and says the reality is that "a spare room subsidy" has been removed from social sector tenants.
A DWP spokesman said the new regulations are lawful and adequate steps have been taken to safeguard people with disabilities.
What is the Government's so-called 'Bedroom Tax'?
Tenants with one spare bedroom have had a payment reduction of 14% and those deemed to have two or more spare a reduction of 25%.
Lawyers for the 10 cases say that, unless the families move from their homes into smaller properties, they face building up rent arrears and being forced out any way.
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'Bedroom tax' in High Court legal challenge
Disabled adults and families with disabled children are challenging the legality of the Government's so-called "bedroom tax", arguing that it unlawfully discriminates against them.
New housing benefit regulations have led to reductions in benefit payments to tenants in the social housing sector assessed to be under-occupying their accommodation.
Lawyers in 10 cases at London's High Court are seeking a ruling that the regulations, introduced on April 1, "unjustifiably discriminate against housing benefit claimants who are disabled or care for disabled family members".
Neighbour calls for more support over 'bedroom tax'
A neighbour of Stephanie Bottrill has said there must be more support in place for vulnerable people affected by the "bedroom tax".
Deborah, who declined to give her full name, said local residents had raised a collection to help pay for Ms Bottrill's funeral on Saturday.
"She spoke to us over the fence and said they'd offered her three places; one was a flat which was no good to her because of her condition, one was in Shirley and wasn't near a bus stop, and another was in Alton, further away," she said.
"I think, because she loved her garden, the thought of moving away from her friends and into something like a one-bed bungalow has had that effect," Deborah added.
"We're professional people, and I understand the underlying reasons why you need the bedroom tax," she said. "But there should be support in place - like a key worker or a housing officer - to say to these people who are having to move 'are you happy? do you understand?' and to give them support."
Samaritans is available for anyone in any type of distress on 08457 90 90 90 in the UK or visit their website www.samaritans.org
Grandmother's suicide note blames Government
The family of grandmother Stephanie Bottrill have shared the suicide note in which she blamed the Government for her decision to take her own life.
"Don't blame yourself for me ending my life," she wrote to her son Steven. "The only people to blame are the Government."
He has since said his 53-year-old mum, from Solihull in the West Midlands, could not cope with the financial burden of the new "bedroom tax".
Samaritans is available for anyone in any type of distress on 08457 90 90 90 in the UK or visit their website www.samaritans.org
Balls: 'Bedroom tax' is driving people to edge of despair
Shadow chancellor Ed Balls has said "there is no doubt" the Government's controversial "bedroom tax" is driving people to "the edge of despair".
Mr Balls was commenting after a family of a woman who committed suicide blamed the pressure of the tax for contributing to her death.
"There is no doubt that this policy is driving people to the edge of despair in their many thousands across the country," Mr Balls told Sky News.
He said: "David Cameron and George Osborne and Iain Duncan Smith should stand back from the rhetoric, which is always a little bit nasty and a little bit divisive, and say: 'What are we actually doing here?'"
Read: Family blame 'bedroom tax' pressure for woman's death
Samaritans is available for anyone in any type of distress on 08457 90 90 90 in the UK or visit their website www.samaritans.org
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