Finance minister and Work and Pensions Secretary say new welfare cuts will encourage more Britons to work.
Al Jazeera
British government defends welfare cuts
Oh, and then there is the spare bedroom tax that's going into effect today, too. And this is no April Fool's prank, either. Official notice below.
National Housing Federation (UK)
British government defends welfare cuts
Oh, and then there is the spare bedroom tax that's going into effect today, too. And this is no April Fool's prank, either. Official notice below.
National Housing Federation (UK)
Bedroom Tax
Find out more about the bedroom tax, the part of welfare reform that will cut the amount of benefit that people can get if they are considered to have a spare bedroom.
Welfare reforms will cut the amount of benefit that people can get if they are deemed to have a spare bedroom in their council or housing association home. This measure will apply from 1 April 2013 to tenants of working age.
The power to do this is contained in the Welfare Reform Act 2012 and is commonly referred to as the bedroom tax, size criteria or under-occupation penalty.
What do the changes mean?
The size criteria in the social rented sector will restrict housing benefit to allow for one bedroom for each person or couple living as part of the household, with the following exceptions:
The British government has lost its marbles. This is really crazy stuff.
- Children under 16 of same gender expected to share
- Children under 10 expected to share regardless of gender
- Disabled tenant or partner who needs non resident overnight carer will be allowed an extra bedroom
Not just the "bedroom tax"
ReplyDeleteIts whole neoliberal assualt on whats left
Legal Aid
http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2013/apr/01/legal-aid-cuts
NHS
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/farewell-to-the-nhs-19482013-a-dear-and-trusted-friend-finally-murdered-by-tory-ideologues-8555503.html
Truly depressing.
Andy,
ReplyDeleteIf you’re saying people in taxpayer subsidised houses are entitled to a spare bedroom, then why not the rest of the population? Please let us know how your “spare bedroom for everyone at the taxpayers expense” scheme will work.
Oh come on Ralph you know that what is causing this is a shortage of available social housing at all levels. This is completely unworkable as is, ill thought out and going to be a mess. Already some councils are saying they are not going to go after the arrears as its too expensive.
ReplyDeleteAnyway the more frightening issue to me is legal aid reduction that has been hidden by the "bedroom" tax.
taxpayer subsidised houses
ReplyDeleteTaxes needed to pay for spending in the UK? I didn't realize that the UK joined the EZ.