Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has today hit out at the Westminster Government over the forthcoming “Bedroom Tax” which will come into force at the beginning of April.  A single person or couple in a two bedroom house will see benefit reduced by up to 15% and if they have 2 spare rooms or more by up to 25%.

Speaking about the changes, Mr Thompson said: “Westminster are punishing the poor, low paid and disabled in our society.

“This is disingenuous, or incompetent or both on the part of the Westminster Con-Dem Government, as they are suggesting that people affected take in a lodger to ease the financial burden.  However it is their guidance on Housing and other DWP benefits that income from a lodger will cut Housing Benefit and other passport benefits such as JSA and ESA.

"The report confirms that almost 45% of tenants in the Highlands who receive Housing Benefit and live in social rented housing will be affected by this unfair and punitive levy.   This will cause undue financial hardship to countless families across my constituency, a large part of which is represented by Danny Alexander at Westminster.

“I wonder if Danny has given any thought to the effects that this will have on many of my and his constituents.

“The picture is probably much worse as those who currently live in privately rented properties are not included in these figures.

“The inequity and injustice does not stop there as the report shows that remote and rural areas are going to be hit harder with a 21% higher proportion of households caught by these changes.  This concerns me greatly as a large number of my constituents live in remote and rural areas.

“This is scandalous in itself and we go on to discover that the disabled are going to be among the hardest hit.  There really is something morally wrong when a Government preys on the most vulnerable members of society in order to repair the damage done to the UK economy by their failed own austerity measures.

Mr Thompson added: “This is further evidence that Westminster is not working for Scotland.  Once this and other measures kick in, the people of Scotland will begin to experience first-hand the benefits that a YES vote for Scottish Independence would bring as there can be certainty that no SNP Government of an Independent Scotland would impose this on its people.

“I had never seen such arrogance since the Tories introduced the Poll Tax.  But that is before I saw Westminster’s advice to those who will find themselves in genuine financial hardship.  Their top five tips include “Move or take in a lodger”.  This is unhelpful, disrespectful and downright arrogant and demonstrates London’s sheer contempt for the people of the Highlands and of Scotland.

“I would like to challenge Charles Kennedy, MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber and Danny Alexander, MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, and Chief Secretary to the Treasury to join me at a meeting with affected tenants.  I would like them to try and explain to those affected why the party that they are members of, and support, and which shares power in the UK Government is – apart from removing £50 million from the Scottish economy, imposing this undue hardship on people who are already struggling with increasing utility prices and rapidly rising living costs?

“I would be very interested to hear what answers, if any, they have to give.

Notes:

“Impact of Planned Housing Benefit Changes in Scotland” can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/supply-demand/chma/Benefitchanges/BenefitChangesUnderOccupancy

Any claimant taking in a lodger would have to declare the income to both Housing Benefit and any other benefits that are claimed.  There is the possibility that JSA/ESA will be adversely affected by the income from charging rent for a room.  This could lead to further financial hardship if JSA/ESA payments were reduced or completely removed due to the amount charged to a lodger.

Guidance on the payment of Housing Benefit is laid down in Housing Benefit Legislation and administered by the DWP.

It should be noted that the Bedroom Tax will only affect Working Age Claimants.  Pensioners are protected at the moment.