Shelter Scotland want to 'Banish the Bedroom Tax Monster'
- 05 Sep
Housing charity Shelter Scotland has launched a campaign to get the UK government to abolish bedroom tax.
‘Banish the Bedroom Tax Monster' campaign calls on Scotland's politicians in Westminster, Holyrood and in local authorities to do more to support households affected by bedroom tax.
A survey by Shelter found that nearly half of those in Scotland think the Scottish government should help household that have been hit by the task. 47% of people asked said the Scottish government should provide additional money to help those struggling to pay their rent.
Shelter's analysis shows that at current levels, the discretionary housing payment available to councils can only help every one in 18 of the 82,500 household struggling from bedroom tax. However, the charity believe that if the Scottish government supported local authorities by making up to £20 million more available, they would have the means to help one affected household in seven, meaning an extra 7,000 households get help.
Shelter wants members of the public and Scottish politicians to back their campaign and support a six-point action plan for countering the effects of the bedroom tax. The plan includes a call for the UK government to introduce a new exemption from the policy for homeless people in temporary accommodation and for councils to support people who fall into rent arrears to move to cheaper accommodation.
Shelter's director, Graeme Brown, said: "It is telling that whilst, according to recent polls, many people may support the need for welfare reform, nearly half of the people in Scotland back the Scottish government to do more to support those affected by the bedroom tax.
"At Shelter Scotland, in the six months since the bedroom tax and other reforms became a reality, we have seen the problems it is creating for homeless people trying to rebuild their lives, for families trying to provide a stable home for their children and for disabled people whose needs are overruled by these arbitrary rules."
Graeme Brown added: "The bedroom tax looms large in the lives of those affected. For many it is like a monster living in their home.
"That is why we are launching our new campaign - Banish the Bedroom Tax Monster - which urges all of Scotland's politicians to act now. Our six-point plan sets out six actions based on the first six months of this misguided and unworkable policy.
"The first opportunity to put this plan into action will be the upcoming Scottish Budget when John Swinney could lead from the front and start the ball rolling by committing £20m extra funding."
Image source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1428066
Related articles
- 20 Apr
CHARITY WORKS TOWARDS A NATIONAL PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS
Prime minister, Theresa May and the first ministers of Scotland and Wales congratulated "Crisis" on its anniversary and gave an assurance to work hand in hand with them while on a quest to eradicate...
- 30 Jan
THE FATE OF EU-FUNDED PROJECTS AND ITS EFFECT ON CHARITY SERVICES
In March 2016, forecasts of growth were low and the government's own estimates put the Treasury's coffers £122bn poorer by 2020.The supreme court has also determined that MPs must approve the...
- 15 Jun
INCREASE IN THREATS OF EVICTIONS FROM HOMES
After analysing statistics from the Ministry of Justice, the housing charity (Shelter) found the following:In the past year, the number of people seeking advice from 'Shelter' on their eviction...
- 07 Jun
CHARITIES, THEIR BRANDS, BENEFICIARIES AND HOW TO EFFECT CHANGE
"Most charities exist because their founders believed the future could be different if they mobilised supporters", but Mandy Johnson of the Guardian believes"This vision is being lost."Charities are...
- 17 Apr
Support for veterans to return to work
Places for People hopes to support veterans into the workplace and also benefit from the skills and experience they have to offer, reports 24dash.All veterans applying for jobs in Places for People's...
- 26 Jan
Charity registers as social landlord
It has now registered its housing department as a housing association, Inside Housing reports.The charity set up Golden Lane Housing (GLH) in 1998, which has now registered to be a social landlord...
- 14 Jan
Charity to develop app for people with disabilities
The funding will enable the charity to develop and test the free app, called FlyCatcher, which could be on the market by 2016.The app uses iBeacon technology to send information through smartphones...
- 14 Jan
Young people’s health harmed by fuel poverty
The Department of Energy and Climate Change have reported that 10% of households in England were in fuel poverty.The charity, Turn2us have stated that 75% of the 2,060 adults in the PRS who were...
- 08 Jan
Homelessness in Scotland
Shelter Scotland stated that this percentage is ‘disproportionate' to the sector's size which makes up 13% of all housing in Scotland, Inside Housing reports. It was also mentioned that the number...
- 07 Jan
Homelessness an ‘increasing trend’ in Wales
Cais blames the lack of options available to individuals due to the change in the type of support that can be offered.The Chief Executive of Cais, Clive Wolfendale has described the problem of...
What are the Future Funding Arrangements for Supported and Sheltered Housing? "Another informative session provided by Support Solutions, excellent session" P.R. - Wrekin Housing Trust
