Government sneaks out report that lays bare damage wreaked by bedroom tax

Commenting on the publication today (Tuesday) of a government-commissioned analysis of the bedroom tax, which shows that many affected tenants are being pushed into arrears, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“The government has shamefully sneaked out a report, under the cover of the reshuffle, that lays bare the damage wreaked by the bedroom tax. It shows how people affected by the tax are simply not able to move and instead are being pushed into rent arrears. As a result, many could end up losing their homes altogether.

“Government claims that the bedroom tax will free up under-occupied housing stock are farcical. The number of households affected by the tax during the first five months of its operation has fallen by less than five per cent.

“The bedroom tax is widely feared by tenants and the verdict from landlords and housing support workers is equally damning. Fewer than one in ten landlords say that government help for struggling tenants is working well and local authorities report that it is making it more difficult for them to house homeless single people

“The bedroom tax is one of the most pointlessly cruel welfare policies instigated by a government that remains determined to take away the safety net that so many rely upon. It is shameful that ministers are now trying to hush up the damage it’s causing.”