For those people hit by the Bedroom Tax in Newport East, it will cost them £3,500 over the next five years if the Tories win again.  At the moment, 1,000 people are paying the Bedroom Tax but many more will be caught if the Tories win again. 

This is a policy which hits disabled people and women the hardest and is leaving many in rent arrears with nowhere smaller for them to move to.  Labour has pledged to abolish the hated Bedroom Tax and that is why people need a Labour Government in May.

Helen Goodman MP, Shadow Minister for Welfare Reform, said:

“The government has imposed the Bedroom Tax on families who are already hard pressed to make ends meet. There aren’t enough smaller properties for people to move so even the government’s own studies show that people are having to cut back on household essentials to pay it. Only a Labour government will abolish the Bedroom Tax.”

Notes about the Bedroom Tax

1. As of August 2014, 997 families in Newport East were paying the Bedroom Tax according to Department of Work and Pensions statistics. On average the tax costs people £3500 per year in Wales.

2. There are a total of 13,760 people in social rented tenure in Newport East. At least as many new people will become liable to the Bedroom Tax as are paying now if the Conservatives are re-elected. All social tenants are at risk -; a family can become liable if children leave home or someone dies.

3. A DWP evaluation showed that 57% of claimants are cutting back on household basics but that only 4.5% had been able to move.

4. In Newport East the Bedroom will cost people at least £3,500,000 if the Conservatives are re-elected.