Bedroom tax will hit 3k

OVER 3k people and families in Londonderry are at risk of having their housing benefit cut when the ‘bedroom tax’ takes effect next month, according to the Housing Minister Nelson McCausland.
By Kevin Mullan
Published 19th Mar 2013, 18:48 BST

The Minister revealed the scale of the impact of the measure - introduced under the Welfare Reform Act 2012 - in Londonderry, in response to a query from Foyle MLA Mark H.Durkan.

Mr Durkan asked the Minister for Social Development how many people or families are at risk of financial penalty for under-occupation within the Foyle constituency.

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The Minister replied: “However, the Housing Executive estimates that within its District Office areas of Waterloo Place, Waterside and Collon Terrace, the number of cases at risk of financial penalty for under-occupation is 3,364.

“This information is drawn from Housing Benefit claimants affected which includes families, couples and single people.”

The new ‘bedroom tax’ will cut the amount of benefit that people can get if they have a spare bedroom.

The Government’s impact assessment shows that those affected will lose an average of £14 a week. Housing association tenants are expected to lose £16 a week on average