21 January 2014

The bedroom tax has once again caused controversy as five severely disabled tenants challenge the housing benefit cut, arguing that it is an attack against the poor and vulnerable.

Yesterday, 20 January 2014, a group of tenants brought a court case in order to challenge the government’s new bedroom tax, claiming it would affect them and other people who are weak and vulnerable.

The tenants challenged the bedroom tax as it is seen as a “cruel and deeply disturbing benefit cut which hits the most vulnerable in society” as described by Ugo Hayter, a lawyer at Leigh Day Solicitors, speaking to the Guardian.

He went on to say that he was confident that the Court of Appeal will realise that the bedroom tax is “discriminatory” and that last year’s high court ruling in July that upheld the legality of the regulations will be overturned.

The reason why it is seen as unjust and discriminatory is because of the “size criteria” regulation introduced by the Department for Work and Pensions. Under the criteria, tenants who are in possession of a spare bedroom have lost 14% of their housing benefits whilst those with two or more have lost 25%.

The cuts in housing benefits have had a tremendous impact on people with disabilities, particularly those who require extra rooms to live a comfortable life and to help with their disabilities.

As a result, appeal judges are now being asked to rule that disabled people should be entitled to full housing benefit in order to be able to have the accommodation and room that is required for their needs.

The representative of four of the tenants, Martin Westgate QC, said to the Guardian that,

“Each of the appellants has a need, because of their disability or that of a member of their family or household, to occupy accommodation larger than that which would be allowed under the size criteria”.

The IER has already expressed its discontent with the bedroom tax. It is unjust and does nothing to promote equality, targeting as it does the weak and vulnerable in society. The new size criteria is just one of the many questionable regulations in the bill.

Individuals with disabilities, many of whom are workers, should be entitled to the help required to make their life comfortable. Adjustments should be made to ensure they do not feel discriminated against or alienated from society.

If you feel like us that this is an injustice that promotes inequality, this is your last day to secure yourself a place at the IER’s Equality and Discrimination conference in Liverpool tomorrow, 22 January 2014.

Conference speakers will cover inequality and discrimination inside and outside the workplace. We encourage you to join us and secure your place today before it is too late.