Reasons for wanting to abolish the Bedroom Tax: Penalises the poor Discriminates against all disabled people. Discriminates against low paid workers. Discriminates against social tenants (LHA rules were not applied retrospectively - many private tenants still under-occupy with no penalty) Forces families apart. Causes extreme financial hardship. Exacerbates the conditions of people living with mental illness. Exacerbates the conditions of people living with physical illness. It has been cited as the main reason for suicides, deterioration of health, deterioration in quality of life (basic needs - food, warmth) The lack of smaller properties. Overcrowded households not wanting to move to larger properties as they recognise the possibility they may be lumbered with the Bedroom Tax in future. Tenants moving to private rented sector to avoid the Bedroom Tax cost Housing Benefit more for smaller property. Tenants being made homeless for quite small arrears. Homeless families being temporarily housed in B&B costing more than Housing Benefit. Disabled tenants moving from heavily adapted properties, into un-adapted properties putting themselves at risk. Costing a fortune to move and re-carpet, curtains and removal costs. Stress due to moving. Stress due to leaving their familiar area, family, parents, children and support network. Children moving schools....and much much more. My fingers ache, so lets look at the Tories answers to some of the above problems. Do a little bit of extra work to make up your £14 (youll lose other benefits if you can and do do this) Blame Labour. Laugh. Take in a lodger (how many disabled people with personal care needs, vulnerable people or families with children would feel comfortable doing this? Lodgers income would be taken into account when working out your benefits. Lodgers rent would be taken into account) It makes things fairer. Blame Labour. Accuse Labour of being the party of unlimited handouts. Laugh. Jeer. Blame Labour for lack of new social housing. Blame Labour. **** I have no love for Labour, but this blame game does tend to get a bit old. The Tories put up their usual intelligent, constructive (*sarcasm*) argument, showing not only a lack of understanding of the real world and real people, but a total misunderstanding of how their own benefit system works. But, Im sure they understand EXACTLY how their expenses system works. ♥ Love & Peace & Solidarity ♥
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 23:07:57 +0000