'Bedroom tax' means benefit cuts for 4,700 Hull households
ABOUT 4,700 households in Hull are facing benefit cuts from April because they have spare bedrooms.
Changes to the national housing benefits system mean working-age claimants in council and housing association properties will receive less if they are judged to be living in accommodation considered too large for their needs.
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Strong views: A new report says about 4,700 households in Hull will face cuts in housing benefit because they have unoccupied bedrooms. Council Avenue resident Karl Dobson believes the 'bedroom tax' is unfair. Picture: Jerome Ellerby
On average, housing benefit entitlement will be reduced by 14 per cent for one extra unused bedroom and by 25 per cent for two or more spare bedrooms.
Council official in Hull estimate the changes here will see a reduction in benefits in the city of about £2.8m per year.
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But they fear many people likely to be affected by the change still do not know anything about it.
A recent survey of more than 2,000 council tenants in Hull revealed almost half were unaware of the so-called bedroom tax.
And more than a third of those who responded said they were already struggling financially.
In Council Avenue, west Hull, Karl Dobson is in a minority – having bought his house from the council more than a decade ago, the 48-year-old does not claim housing benefit.
However, he has strong views about the changes likely to impact on some of his neighbours.
He said: "There can be all sorts of reasons why people end up with a spare bedroom.
"If someone is living in a house that's too big for them through no fault of their own, I don't see why they should be victimised like this.
"If they want to crack down on people claiming benefits when they shouldn't, I can take them to somewhere right now where six people are doing a job and claiming benefits for supposedly being unemployed.
"I think it's wrong that certain sections of society get picked on like this.
"What about MPs who get second home allowances to live in grand houses that we all pay for?
"They should get rid of that sort of thing first."
Although pensioners who currently claim housing benefit will be exempt, new estimates published by Hull City Council show the impact of the changes will be felt citywide.
They reveal about 3,500 households will face a 14 per cent deduction in their benefits with just over 1,000 expected to suffer a 25 per cent deduction.
Advice letters have now been sent to all tenants.
In an accompanying report, the council's housing manager Laura Carr said other welfare reforms being introduced at the same time would almost certainly create extra pressures.
She said: "A number of changes to housing benefit for private sector tenants are likely to lead to an increase in demand for council housing as this is likely to be affordable, especially for under-35s who only qualify for the single room rate.
"Restrictions on local housing allowance payments may also lead to an increase in private rented sector evictions."
Councillors will discuss the report next week.
Comments
by ohdear2011
Thursday, January 24 2013, 1:36PM
“Not before time someone is putting a stop to free handouts that people think they deserve without doing any work”
by miss-behaving
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 5:31PM
“To JayOnly
if you rented my empty bedroom we could kill two birds with one stone!!!!! it would stop the government from taking £20 out of my income and then i can polish your piano for you.”
by miss-behaving
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 5:16PM
“The gormless powers that be are going to drive thousands of low income families onto the streets with all these claw back bills being introduced by a overpaid,over trusted government.Lets see large cuts in their wages,lets see prison sentences of ten years for mis-apropriation of funds and false claims.Then perhaps when we have a government that cares about others rather than themselves this country will be able to stand on its feet again and support the genuine needy.”
by miss-behaving
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 4:59PM
“WORKER 111 There is a small child in my family who is terminaly ill,,, would you expect him to share a room with his 8 year old sister and do we not claim any benefits for this child who requires round the clock care????? or are you so far up your own rear that you cannot see the real problems that this government is creating for such needy families,(nobody deserves a poorly child ) and this government and stuck up people like you do not care a snot!!!!!”
by miss-behaving
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 4:41PM
“This government are clawing money off the people who , are the most needy....i.e the elderly,disabled, chronicly ill etc, because they have to replace all the billions they have mis-appropriated by false expense claims and pure theft of the countrys money and who is keeping a watch on these greedy overpaid fat cats????? NOBODY!”
by billycasper
Wednesday, January 09 2013, 1:29AM
“listen to this beutiful song http://tinyurl.com/bttn6aa”
by richspice
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 8:26PM
“There are just not enough single bed properties to cover demand and what will happen is more 2 & 3 bed properties will end up empty as people get evicted and there are no families to fill them”
by Worker111
Monday, January 07 2013, 8:48PM
“PatrickNewman, let me put it more succinctly for you.
Anyone who relies on the state for their own financial well being, are in big trouble, and it will get worse, whoever is in power.
Live within your means and pay down your debt.”
by StagChilli
Monday, January 07 2013, 7:59PM
“In relation to Karl Dobsons comments that he could grass up to 6 people he knows working for cash in hand? What's the point I reported someone last May still nothing done by the council yet six forms have been sent in and these people are fiddling hundreds of pounds a year if not thousands. So guys its not for the want of trying it is more that the want to bring these people to buck does not seem to be on the councils agenda.”
by StagChilli
Monday, January 07 2013, 7:48PM
“The Blair and Brown regime created this Benefits mess and it does need to be adjusted and brought up to date. With regards to this current crop of politicians the coalition government they need to listen to the grass roots more for example the new policy which came in place today on family allowance benefit. Family with one earner husband or wife earning over 60K allowance stops, on the other hand a Family with both husband and wife earning a joint income of 80k still get full benefit is that right? The so called bedroom tax again is this the right policy I am not sure let me pose this question a vast majority of benefit claimants are living in private properties on private estates and before they moved to their private estate they were offered council housing and refused it which they could under the rules of rent entitlement the jigsaw starts to take shape effect. Governments solution create the bedroom tax (which to me is wrong) move those people into smaller accommodation to accommodate those people (with children) who are claiming maximum housing benefit back into council owned properties.”