Court Challenge Against 'Bedroom Tax' Fails

The High Court has dismissed claims the Government's so-called "bedroom tax" unlawfully discriminates against disabled people.

Campaigners had been fighting to block the controversial housing benefit regulations that came into force on April 1.

Despite losing, they welcomed court criticism that the Government had not done enough to provide for disabled children.

Opponents argue the new rules penalise families with children who cannot share rooms because of a disability.

Judges noted that the coalition had been aware since May last year that the law must be changed but had failed to act in time.

Lord Justice Laws, sitting with Mr Justice Cranston, said the current state of affairs "cannot be allowed to continue".

Lawyers acting for disabled people said the ruling meant the Government now had to act "very speedily" to address the problem.

Under the coalition's clampdown, tenants considered to be under-occupying their accommodation have their housing benefit cut.

Tenants with one spare room have a reduction of 14% and those with two or more spare lose 25% of their cash.

Human rights lawyers argue that families who do not move into smaller homes face building up arrears and will be kicked out anyway.

Ten cases were brought before London's High Court to illustrate the serious impact of the regulations on disabled people.

Housing charity Shelter condemned the judges' decision and claimed it raised the risk of homelessness.

Chief executive Campbell Robb said: "This ruling is devastating news for disabled adults and families with disabled or vulnerable children, who will be put at real risk of homelessness for having a bedroom they just can't do without.

"We're really concerned that these families will now face a real struggle to meet their rent and may end up losing their home."

Sense, the national charity for the deaf and blind, reported a "huge increase" in the number of calls it had received from struggling families.

And National Housing Federation chief executive David Orr called the situation "desperate", with disabled people forced to cut back on food and heating to keep their homes.

"The bedroom tax is a flawed and unfair policy that won't achieve what the Government hopes it will. The only fair solution is to scrap this policy now," he said.

The Department for Work and Pensions said the cuts were necessary but insisted it was still supporting the needy, unveiling another £35m in funding to councils to help residents.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Court Challenge Against 'Bedroom Tax' Fails

Dengan url

http://stopinarkoba.blogspot.com/2013/07/court-challenge-against-bedroom-tax.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Court Challenge Against 'Bedroom Tax' Fails

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Court Challenge Against 'Bedroom Tax' Fails

sebagai sumbernya