Bedroom tax victory for Southport couple in Supreme Court
A couple from Southport have won a Supreme Court ruling over the controversial so-called 'bedroom tax'.
Jacqueline Carmichael, who's also known as Charlotte, suffers from Spina Bifida, and lives with her husband in a two bedroom housing association flat in Southport. Today Supreme Court justices overturned a decision taken by the Court of Appeal in 2014 which went against the couple.
Mrs Carmichael complained that changes to housing benefit unlawfully discriminate against people with disabilities who have a need for an additional bedroom because of that disability.
The 44-year-old's condition means she has to sleep in a fixed position in a hospital bed with an electronic pressure mattress. There is not enough space for a second bed so her husband, Jayson, sleeps in a separate bedroom. Their benefit was cut by 14% when the ruling came in.
Before an earlier Supreme Court hearing began in February, Mr Carmichael, who is in his fifties and is full-time carer for his wife, spoke outside court of the "heartache" they have suffered following the changes.
The Department for Work and Pensions now say they'll take steps to ensure they comply with the judgement in due course.