"bedroom tax" loophole reprinted from a local newspaper.

[hamble99b]

"An MP has condemned the impact the bedroom tax is having after a system loophole potentially made 40,000 people across the UK wrongly liable for the charge.

Last week it emerged that social housing tenants who have been a continuous occupier of a property and whose claim is unchanged from before 1996 are not liable, due to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) failing to update the legislation for before this date.

Experts in the housing industry claim there could be as many as 40,000 people nationwide who may be affected by the DWP’s error.

And Derek Twigg MP said that, though no-one in his constituency has yet come to him regarding a potentially wrong cut, he said the issue is a major cause of concern for his constituents.

He told the Weekly News: “I would imagine there are people in Halton (affected by this) but I do get regular complaints about the bedroom tax.

“It underlines the incompetence this Government has with welfare reforms.

“These are some of the most vulnerable people – many are disabled which makes it more wrong and callous.”

The tax – which came into effect last April – saw tenants who receive housing benefit have their benefits cut by 14% for one extra bedroom and 25% for two or more additional rooms.

The measure puts a penalty of between £14 and £22 a week for tenants judged to have an extra bedroom in their property they do not need.

Mr Twigg criticised the measure in the House Of Commons in November and said he will continue his opposition to the policy – one that Labour said it will abolish if the party wins the next election.

He said: “I have been at the forefront of the campaign with this.

“No-one wants people abusing the system but I will be continuing the campaign in Parliament.

“They should get rid of this oppressive, awful measure which is causing misery. It just seems to be incompetent and Labour has pledged to get rid of it.

“It is just putting unbelievable pressure at the moment.”

16/01/114

[allanah]

Good on him I think

[Kathyfitz12]

What I can't grasp,is how tenants on Benefits who are happy to move to a smaller property still get their Benefits reduced when their local authority has no place to offer them . ....they are willing to comply but the council isn,t - surely this isn't right?

I wish some body with the legal know how would bring a test case on this situation.

[fastball in reply to Kathyfitz12]

I thought it was being taken to Human rights in the EU. Not certain that is my belief.

Chris

[hamble99b in reply to fastball]

I think a lady from Liverpool is doing that fastball.