Some pensioners with spare rooms will be hit by reductions in housing benefit under what critics dub the Government's "bedroom tax", the Department of Work and Pensions said. A ComRes poll reveals most of the British public want to delay the tax.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) say they do not want the new charges for social housing tenants with a spare room (the so-called 'bedroom tax') to discourage people from becoming foster parents. A spokesperson said:
The £30 million is part of a broader £155 million budget to support people in difficult situations, and is specifically targeted at two groups:
A disabled woman and her partner have written to a minister urging a rethink on plans to cut benefits for tenants deemed to have spare rooms
The benefit cut for social housing tenants will put 'unbearable' pressure on families with a disabled child.
Bedrooms in some foster homes will be classified as vacant, but the government insists funding for foster carers will be protected.