Nick Clegg is facing a revolt from Liberal Democrat party activists over his support for the hated bedroom tax, The Mirror has reported.
The controversial ‘tax’ affects those in social housing who are in receipt of housing benefit and where their home is larger than their requirement. Affected families are docked a percentage from their housing benefit: 14% for one spare bedroom or 24% for two or more.
It is believed that as many as 1 in 3 (or more according to some sources) affected families includes a person who is disabled.
Those hit by the bedroom tax have the option to move to a smaller property but a number of councils and social housing associations have said that there are simply not enough one and two bedroom properties available for people to move into.
LibDem activists claim that the bedroom tax discriminates “against the most vulnerable in society” and does not take into account the complex needs of disabled people and have called for greater financial support for those affected.
Angry party members have tabled a motion to be presented at the Liberal Democrats annual conference in Glasgow next month, which ‘condems’ (condemns) the forcing through of the policy without proper consideration for its consequences.
The motion reads:
“The majority of rural and urban areas outside large cities such as London have insufficiently large, diverse and dynamic social housing markets to make moving into a smaller property locally a viable option.”
Activists are confident they can defeat the party leadership, according to a Daily Mirror source close to Nick Clegg.
Julie Porksen, who tabled the motion, told the Mirror: “We decided to draft our own fair and workable party policy which frees up larger homes, respects people and reflects the reality of our limited social housing resources.”
LibDem councillor, Robert Brown also said: “We should send the clearest of messages that the policy is damaging and unfair”, whilst Andrew George MP described the ‘tax’ as “absurd”, according to the Mirror.
The full extent and potential outcomes of the activist’s motion is as yet unclear.
Mirror.
