This really is a hard-hearted, callous, nasty policy and on top of that it doesn’t work.  It seeks to cut state support to people who desperately need it, whilst dressing this up as a response to the housing crisis. It isn’t washing because it isn’t working

IF THERE were a competition for the most nasty, ineffective, counterproductive and unjust of the Government’s policies, it would be a close run thing.  It would be a safe bet however, that the Bedroom tax would be up there as a front runner.

The Department for Work and Pension’s own monitoring shows that last year, only four per cent of those subject to the bedroom tax have moved.  There simply aren’t sufficient smaller properties for people to go to - but even if there were, for many the rooms in question are essential. 

The case studies are too numerous to mention them all – people with cancer, with severe mental health problems, with disabilities all being hit and having to apply to a temporary fund that is not guaranteed, in order to stay in their homes.  Homes which have often been specially adapted to meet chronic and complex on-going health needs to enable tenants to live independently. 

And not everyone gets the ‘Discretionary Housing Payment’ (DHP) that the Government says will solve all cases of hardship.  The total allocation for Brighton and Hove this year is just over £1m.  This figure is to cover a wide variety of swingeing welfare cuts, which the Council estimates to be approximately £13-£14m in total.

The Bedroom Tax policy judges from on high – it was designed by those who like to pedal the ‘undeserving poor’ narrative.  But the reality is it disrupts and impoverishes people who, for example, have tried desperately hard to battle with severe mental ill-health.  People who are in recovery from serious addictions are being thrown back into stress, poverty and debt.

The Government and bedroom tax cheerleaders often complain and say, ‘but it isn’t a “tax” it’s a spare room subsidy’.  But it’s their title that is inaccurate.  It doesn’t reflect the reality that people in Brighton Pavilion have made clear to me, that for many the room in question is not ‘spare’.

Take the example of the ex-serviceman, who, following a severe breakdown, left the family home.  After a period of homelessness, he was housed in a two bedroom council property, which allowed his children to visit, where he has been in recovery from addiction. 

Although he still suffers from mental ill-health, he is volunteering, and rebuilding his relationship with his children.  The Bedroom Tax says he shouldn’t have that room.  To keep that room, which enables him to keep rebuilding his relationship with his kids, he cuts back on food. 

As well as being nasty, this policy has simply not worked.  For example in Brighton and Hove, 88% of those affected haven’t moved - and many for very good reason.  Of the 1,174 households affected, 400 are now in arrears.  Of that 400, 237 have someone with a disability.  Many of those not in arrears are relying on food-banks and/or resorting to payday loans and doorstep credit.

People previously not in arrears have been pushed into debt.  We know of at least 104 households that house someone with serious mental health problems and in 78 households people live with mobility problems.  Many people use the so-called ‘spare’ room for essential medical equipment.

People with disabilities are using their Disability Living Allowance to pay for the rent not covered by Housing Benefit; and people with cancer who cannot work are being forced to apply for discretionary short term payments to stay in their homes.

In a case where a property was been specifically extended by Occupational Therapy to accommodate a tenant’s severely disabled son who required his own bedroom, the family has to apply for a discretionary, temporary payment to remain in their home.  This is extremely stressful and unsettling.  This payment is not guaranteed, and the fund not permanent.

The Government’s argument that the bedroom tax is just bringing the social housing sector in line with the private-rented sector ignores the fact that social housing often provides support for vulnerable people, for people suffering from serious mental ill-health and for disabled people to live independently.

No one is saying there are no vulnerable people in the private rented sector – more social housing is needed.  Making the housing benefit rule for the social sector the same as the private rented sector doesn’t help those in the private sector who are not getting the support they need.  They gain nothing.  There is no fairness.  All that is happening is that more misery, disruption and poverty is being generated.

This really is a hard-hearted, callous, nasty policy and on top of that it doesn’t work.  This is a truly cynical policy that seeks to cut state support to people who desperately need it, whilst dressing this up as a response to the housing crisis.  It isn’t washing because it isn’t working.

Ministers cannot say they don’t know about the hardship they are causing. They are choosing to ignore it. 

For all of the reasons above and more, I voted tonight for the malicious Bedroom Tax to be scrapped immediately.