IDS attacks BBC over its coverage of welfare reforms

Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, has launched an astonishing attack on the BBC for repeatedly referring to one of his welfare reforms as a “bedroom tax”.

Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, has hit out at the BBC. Photo: Geoff Pugh

By Peter Dominiczak, Political Correspondent

Mr Duncan Smith accused the BBC of using language “promoted” by the Labour Party and causing alarm to people in social housing who will not be affected by the changes.

Under the Government's proposals, people in social housing will receive a cut in housing benefit where they are deemed to have spare bedrooms.

Ministers say the “under occupancy penalty” is intended to ensure that the best use is made of social housing and reduce the housing benefit bill, currently more than £20 billion a year.

The Department for Work and Pensions estimates that the change will save taxpayers £480 million a year and affect around 600,000 people. The average loss for a single empty bedroom will be £14 per week.

It is also intended to encourage people to move into smaller properties in order to free up accommodation for families.

However, the policy has been highly controversial, with Labour labeling it a “bedroom tax” that could force families into arrears if they cannot find smaller homes to move to.

David Cameron this month launched a Tory counter-attack, dubbing the current rules a “spare room subsidy”.

Mr Duncan Smith has said that “Labour have deliberately set out to scare as many people as possible” over the issue.

He has reacted furiously to BBC coverage, which has repeatedly labeled the reforms as a “bedroom tax” in reports and articles.

In a letter to Fran Unsworth, the acting head of BBC News, which was leaked to The Daily Mail, Mr Duncan Smith said the corporation is “failing” in its duty to “inform the public”.

“The BBC has a duty to inform the public,” he wrote. “We believe that the BBC is failing in this duty and confusing members of the public.

“In using the word tax, the BBC has helped to worry those not in social housing that they might be taxed when this is not the policy.

“It is also a term continually used and promoted by the Labour Party.”

A BBC spokesman said: “We can confirm that we have received a letter from Iain Duncan Smith and we will respond directly in due course.”

Telegraph