Activists Put Bedroom Tax In The Dock

Disabled people who claim that the government’s vicious bedroom tax unlawfully discriminates against them launched a legal challenge against it today. 

 Many face losing part of the housing benefit which pays their rent if they have a “spare” room – even though they might need the room because of their disabilities.

Now lawyers in 10 cases at London’s High Court are seeking a ruling that the regulations, introduced on April 1, “unjustifiably discriminate against housing benefit claimants who are disabled or care for disabled family members.”

Tenants deemed to have one “spare” bedroom have had their housing benefit axed by 14 per cent and those with two or more “spare” have lost 25 per cent. 

Lawyers for the families say they face moving to a smaller property or falling into arrears, bringing the threat of eviction.