It’s time to Axe the Bedroom Tax

It is often said that the measure of a civilised country is how it’s citizens look after the sick, the disabled, the young, the old, the less fortunate. In Britain today by this very measure we are failing the test of a civilised nation. The ConDem government hiding behind the rhetoric of “we’re all in this together” have, since 2010, set about joyously attacking the very people that a civilised society are meant to protect. This is Laissez Faire at its worst, cutting the benefit bill without regard for the individuals who are being driven into poverty, despair or even death. This is the 21^st Century and we have half a million people who have had to refer themselves to foodbanks, to accept charity because life in the low wage economy or heaven help us on benefits is unable to feed them or their families.

In an environment where complete disregard for the weak in society is the order of the day we could be forgiven for thinking that picking a particularly cruel and thoughtless policy would be difficult. Unfortunately for those affected, this is not the case, the hated Bedroom Tax takes that dubious accolade. The measure not only disproportionately hits those who live with a disability but has also been shown to neither meet the governments stated aim of freeing up larger housing nor to save any money at all.

Of the 600,000 people in the UK who are affected by this measure two thirds have a disability. How can this be right in 2013? Even if this scandalous policy was fair there are simply not enough properties for people to move to. The result, soaring levels of rent arrears and black holes in already stretched council budgets.

We should never forget that these properties are not just statistics these are people’s homes, some of whom have lived in them for generations and raised families. This is more than just statistics, something this government have continuously failed to acknowledge.

I am proud to be moving a ten minute rule bill early in the New Year on the issue. On the lead up to this we have a debate in parliament next Tuesday and an important event preceding it. Between 10am and 12.30pm persons wishing to lobby their MP’s can do so at an event with me and Rachel Reeves in the Boothroyd Room.

I hope to see as many people there as possible.

Ian Lavery is the Labour MP for Wansbeck