‘Inhuman’ benefit reforms would squeeze Limavady housing

The Sentinel can today reveal that there are just 172 one bedroom homes in the Limavady Housing Executive area, as Northern Ireland braces itself ahead of proposals to introduce a ‘bedroom tax.’

In Britain, Housing Benefit reforms contained within the Welfare Reform Bill – a series of sweeping changes to the benefit system – mean that the amount of benefit people can receive will be cut if they are deemed to have a spare bedroom in their council or housing association home.

The measure has already been applied to housing benefit claimants of working age in Britain from April 1, 2013, although the Welfare Reform Bill is still being considered by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

In practice, the reforms will mean that many will be forced to move to smaller homes because their housing benefit will no longer cover their costs, something that politicians opposed to the move say will put unsustainable pressure on the availability of one bedroom homes.

Today, the Sentinel can reveal that there are just 172 one bedroom properties in the Limavady Housing Executive area office, a figure that represents the total number of one bedrooms rather than the number which are currently free.

The figures were released by Northern Ireland’s Social Development Minister Nelson McCasuland, after a request by SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan.

His party colleague in East Londonderry, John Dallat, said that the SDLP will do everything possible to scupper the introduction of a bedroom tax in Northern Ireland.

He said: “First of all, I hope that the bedroom tax never sees the light of day in Northern Ireland. Quite simply, they don’t have the stock of one bedroom homes. There is a high proportion of families who will be affected by the bedroom tax if it is implemented. These people will either be put into abject poverty or be forced to compete for one bedroom properties.

“Certainly, my party will not support the bedroom tax. We will try to scupper its introduction through a petition of concern. This means we would get 13 signatures for the petition, which would mean it needs cross community support. In that case, it simply can’t happen.

“My own feeling is that there is such an outcry about it in Britain that the government there will be forced into a U-Turn.

“I think this is Tory arrogance gone haywire. It is going to cause untold anxiety. It would be emotionally disturbing for people living in a humble three bed home all their days to be moved and stuck in some area where there are problems with drugs and alcohol. It is inhuman. I would rather resign than support something like that.”

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has stated that he cannot yet “advise on any introduction date.” He had been asked by South Antrim MLA Trevor Clarke when the measure would be introduced.

Mr McCausland replied: “Under the Housing Benefit reforms contained within the Welfare Reform Bill, which is currently being considered by the Northern Ireland Assembly, a size criteria restriction is proposed for working age claimants under-occupying in the social rented sector.

“At present claimants living in that sector generally have no restriction placed on the size of accommodation they occupy, and the amount of Housing benefit to which they are entitled. The change would bring the social rented sector more into line with the approach already in place in the private rented sector, where the rate of Housing Benefit is related to the size of dwelling the claimant needs.

“While I am supportive of the need to reform our existing benefit system to ensure that it supports people back into work and offers help to those who are genuinely in need of assistance, I am also very aware of the concerns people have about the size criteria restriction and the need to protect

the vulnerable in our society. As a result I have raised this specific issue with Lord Freud and am in continuing discussion with him and DWP.

“I cannot therefore advise on any introduction date until these discussions and those around welfare reform in general are finalised.”