Liberal Democrat activists have today dealt a severe blow to leader Nick Clegg by demanding the Party review the controversial spare room subsidy, dubbed ‘bedroom tax’ by its opponents. Activists agreed to support a motion calling for a party review into the impact of the ‘bedroom tax’ on vulnerable groups including the elderly, children and disabled members of society at the Liberal Democrat Party conference in Glasgow. They also insisted that new guidelines should be introduced to reduce the impact of the levy on these groups. During a long debate on the issue dozens of activists rose to condemn the government policy in stark contradiction to Liberal Democrat MPs who supported the introduction of the ‘bedroom tax’, and other far-reaching changes during the passage of the Welfare Reform Act. Veteran MP, Baroness Shirley Williams (pictured), also admitted that the Liberal Democrats had made a “mistake” in siding with the Tories on the ‘bedroom tax’. A speech by Baroness Williams was met with a round of rapturous applause by the party faithful when she said: “I find it very hard to raise enthusiasm for the bedroom tax, which I think actually was a mistake.” Former LibDem leader, Charles Kennedy MP also told the BBC : ”I didn’t support it in the Commons, and I’m not going to support it here. And our party in Scotland has expressed its opposition to it.” The motion and subsequent vote came on the same day as a leaked email outlined five ways Liberal Democrats should defend the coalition policy. Among these included: insisting the policy makes better use of social housing by freeing up larger properties and highlighting the existence of local authority discretionary funds designed to help tenants impacted by the cut in their Housing Benefit. Critics of the ‘bedroom tax’ claim that a growing number of people, including families where a disabled person is present, are being denied access to the fund and as a result are left with little option other than to pay the subsidy as suitable smaller accommodation simply doesn’t exist. They claim this has a knock on effect on the ability of those affected to make ends-meet at a time of other welfare cuts and rising living costs, as well as on their health and general well-being. Social Housing tenants affected by the levy are expected to downsize to a smaller property or accept a deduction in the amount of Housing Benefit they are entitled to, which could amount to a cut of up to 25%. United Nations special rapporteur Raquel Rolnik, called on the UK government to suspend the ‘bedroom tax’ following a 12 day investigation last week. During her investigations Ms Rolnik met with a number of affected families as well as government representatives and the media.
Posted on: Mon, 16 Sep 2013 22:51:37 +0000
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