Campaigners welcome ‘Bedroom Tax’ help proposals

Moves by councillors to help people affected by the ‘Bedroom Tax’ have been met with a positive response from campaigners.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Policy and resources Committee met on Tuesday October 1 to discuss a series of recommendations by the Caerphilly Homes Task Group – which includes the voices of tenants.

‘The Bedroom Tax’ is the term used by critics of the UK Government’s reform of housing benefit which sees payments reduced for spare bedrooms.

The Caerphilly Homes Task Group – made up of seven councillors and seven council tenants – said it could not support a ‘no eviction policy’ for people affected by the ‘Bedroom Tax’.

It could also not support a full re-designation policy, although it did state there might be a limited number of properties which could be reclassified and that option should be actively pursued.

Cllr Hefin David, chair of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee said: “Our committee welcomed the input of the Caerphilly Homes Task Group – which, importantly, includes tenants’ representatives – into our consideration of how best to help tenants cope with the impact of this unfair tax. Most of the Task Group’s recommendations will be put forward to full council for support.”

Among the recommendations approved by the committee were the waiving of limited breaches of tenancy to assist with transfers to smaller properties and awarding tenants affected by the under-occupancy rules additional points to help with their transfer.

A recommendation to insist that people who fall behind on rent attend compulsory money management classes was rejected.

Cllr David added: “We couldn’t support one of the Task Group’s recommendations – requiring tenants in arrears to attend compulsory money management workshops.

“Following an amendment proposed by Cllr Gez Kirby and seconded by Cllr Jan Jones, our committee agreed that it was wrong to compel people in tough circumstances to attend courses. But we will recommend offering tenants all the support, including voluntary workshops, they may need.”

Roy Davis, of campaign group Caerphilly Against the Bedroom Tax, attended the meeting and said it was a step in the right direction to help people. He also welcomed the rejection of sending people to money management classes.

He said: “It would have been a bit harsh to send people on money management courses when they haven’t got any money to manage.”

At the Labour Party conference, held recently in Brighton, Labour leader Ed Miliband said he would reverse the ‘Bedroom Tax’ policy if his party won the 2015 general election.