Peers in new bid to exempt vulnerable from 'bedroom tax'

Published by Julien Tremblin for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Local Government

The Government's Welfare Reform Bill is facing fresh opposition in the House of Lords after crossbencher peer Lord Best tabled new amendments to limit the impact of the "bedroom" tax.

The Bill has already suffered seven defeats in the Lords where peers voted for a series of amendments. However MPs overturned all changes when the Bill returned to the Commons.

Although original amendments cannot be tabled again today, new proposals to protect vulnerable groups will be considered by Peers - which could send the bill back to the House of Commons for a second time.

The new amendments tabled by Lord Best propose to protect certain vulnerable groups from the bedroom tax including disabled people, war widows and foster carers.

Under plans in the Bill, 670,000 social tenant households - two-thirds containing a disabled family member – would lose an average of £13 per week because they are deemed to have one or more additional bedrooms. The Welfare Reform Bill also plans a £26,000-a-year benefit cap.

The National Housing Federation (NHF) is now calling on peers to "take a stand" on the issue and blamed the Government for "shutting down discussion" over the proposals.

James Green, public affairs manager at the NHF, said: "Today peers will have the chance to continue the fight against the Government’s bedroom tax.

"Lord Best’s amendment marks a crunch moment for thousands of families in social housing at risk of being forced from their homes or into debt.

"In December the House of Lords took a stand on this vital issue. They were backed recently by MPs of all parties when the Welfare Reform Bill was debated in the House of Commons.

"Given the level of opposition in the Commons and the Lords to these proposals and their potential impact, it is totally wrong for the Government to shut down discussion by claiming financial privilege.

We urge peers to support this compromise that will protect disabled people, war widows and foster carers from the worst impact of the bedroom tax."