Caerphilly MP Wayne David has attacked Prime Minister David Cameron for not responding to a letter sent by a blind couple affected by the “Bedroom Tax”.
Mr and Mrs Goodwin, who have lived in their council house in Blackwood for 26 years, rely on their guide dogs, their family and their neighbours for support. However, under the Tory-led Government’s plans Mr and Mrs Goodwin will be penalised.
In Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Mr David asked Mr Cameron why he hadn’t kept his word to reply to the couple.
He said: “In February I asked the Prime Minister if he thought it was fair that Mr and Mrs Goodwin, both of whom are registered blind, should pay the bedroom tax. He promised to look into the case. Mr and Mrs Goodwin’s family wrote to the Prime Minister but did not receive a reply. Why does he not keep his word?”
Mr Cameron replied: “I will look urgently at this case, because I reply to honourable members’ correspondence right across the house, and I always will.
“We have put in place very fair rules on the spare room subsidy, whereby it does not affect pensioners and does not affect people who need to have that spare room.
“Perhaps when I do write back there is one question I will not be able to answer, which is that we still do not know whether Labour is going to replace this, because they will not give us an answer.”
Following Prime Minister’s Questions Mr David said: “The case of Mr and Mrs Goodwin of Blackwood is quite shocking. Both are registered blind and yet have to pay the bedroom tax for two bedrooms which the Government says are ‘spare’. When I raised the issue first of all with David Cameron he said that he would look into this case. He clearly hasn’t and this is yet more evidence that his promises are meaningless.”
I dare say that should he deign to reply it will be some insulting waffle and perhaps a cheap and rather childish jibe about Labour.
He could say that the actions of his Government will actually increase the housing benefit bill. He might mention just how many of his chums and fellow politicians derive income from property rentals. Of course if he was feeling candid he might admit that creating a new housing underclass is vital for subsidising buy-to-let landlords. Which in turn will lure people to believe the overinflated housing bubble has further room for expansion before it goes bang.
The Conservatives have openly admitted they care not about social housing. Only buy-to-let landlords and home owners. Perhaps Cameron hadn't replied earlier as to a Conservative anyone in council housing must surely be invisible.
Also worth mentioning that other councils have taken action to beat the bedroom tax.
Considering Wayne you have not replied to the letter I sent you in July 2011 I don't think it's right of you to criticise the PM's response.
I don't see why the government should help subsidise the rent for a house. If you inefficiently live a home with too many rooms why should we, the taxpayer, help you pay the rent on the wasted rooms (don't bring up the foster homes argument as the tax doesn't affect those) Being disabled makes no difference. We all need to pay rent/a mortgage.