Emma Reynolds, MP for Wolverhampton North East and Labour’s Shadow Housing Minister, has challenged Tory Communities Secretary Eric Pickles to admit that the government’s bedroom tax is hitting disabled families.Evidence has emerged to show that over half of those hit by the bedroom tax are disabled and that the reduction in their housing benefit is causing disabled people to chose between eating a meal or heating their homes.  

Speaking during Communities Questions in Parliament on Monday, Emma asked “More than half of those hit by the bedroom tax are disabled, and nine out of 10 disabled people who are not receiving discretionary housing benefit are cutting back on food or bills and having to choose between heating or eating. Does the Minister advise them to put on another jumper, skip a meal, or move to a non-adapted property that then has to be adapted at huge cost to the taxpayer?”

Speaking afterwards, Emma said “the truth about the bedroom tax is that it is unfairly hurting disabled people and their families up and down the country. For many disabled people, the extra bedroom is used by their partner when sleeping together is difficult or to store essential equipment. Over 4000 homes in Wolverhampton, including 1419 in my own constituency, have been hit by the bedroom tax. This government’s refusal to repeal the bedroom tax which hits the disabled, military families, and the most vulnerable in society, shows how out of touch this government has become. Labour would repeal this unjust and cruel policy.”

October 2013