Tag Archives: spare room subsidy

Jo Ingold

Opinion: Is the rethink on the Bedroom Tax too little, too late?

By Jo Ingold | Mon 21st July 2014 - 11:54 am

Clegg axe bedroom taxThe Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy (the ‘bedroom tax’) has not met its intended outcomes. This has led to an apparent U-turn by the Liberal Democrat leadership, based on evidence published in the interim policy evaluation. This report highlighted the economic hardship experienced by those affected and that the accelerated demand for downsizing has been difficult to meet.

It is to be applauded that Liberal Democrats appear to have responded to evidence which suggests that the policy isn’t working. Also to be welcomed is the intention to …

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Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged | 42 Comments
Mark Jewell

Opinion: Don’t close spare room subsidy loophole – just yet

By Mark Jewell | Wed 19th February 2014 - 11:18 am

In January, it was revealed that there was a loophole in the Government’s welfare reforms. The loophole relates to those people claiming Housing Benefit whilst in the same property for at least the past 17 years.

The government have indicated they will reverse this loophole as soon as possible. Reports suggest legislation will be brought forward in March.

I would call on the government to hold on closing this loophole until the independent review, ordered by Nick Clegg, has reported back on the implications of the spare bedroom subsidy.

I base this on my own experiences. Although I lost my seat in May

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Posted in News | Also tagged , and | 5 Comments
Mike German

Lord German writes… Monitoring the removal of the spare room subsidy

By Mike German | Thu 12th September 2013 - 4:40 pm

Like many people reading the front page of the Guardian this morning, I was worried by the headline on the pronouncements by the UN special rapporteur on the removal of the spare room subsidy. But it is important to look behind the headline to see that these comments were based on a very brief visit from this adviser, who did not have the time for a detailed discussion with the Department for Work and Pensions to understand the policy. If she had done she would have been able to understand that this policy brings the rules for the social …

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Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged , and | 33 Comments
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