Charities' fight 'bedroom tax'

The Prime Minister 'misled' Parliament this week over the so called 'bedroom tax' according to a disabled charity.

Mencap claim that despite David Cameron's promise, that severely disabled children and those needing round-the-clock care will be exempt, more than 400,000 families will suffer under the plans.

Lorraine Homayon-Jones spoke to Daybreak with her daughter Rose, she said that she has no choice but to find the extra money she stands to lose.

She added: "It wasn't an ideal choice to be a carer, I did give up work because it was the best fit for rose's needs."

Along with six other charities, Mencap have launched a campaign against the Government's 'bedroom tax' plans.

In February, the charities wrote an open letter to Chancellor George Osborne, to ask the Government to exempt carers and disabled people.

Seven charities are campaigning against the Government's controversial 'bedroom tax', which aims to cut the cost of welfare.

The charities have expressed "deep concerns about the impact of the new policy on disabled people and families caring unpaid for ill, frail or disabled loved ones."

• Mencap
• Carers UK
• MS Society
• Macmillan Cancer Support
• Disability Rights UK
• Carers Trust
• Contact a Family

Read: High court challenge over bedroom tax

Mencap, and a number of other charities, are launching a campaign against the 'bedroom tax' which is due to come into force next month.

They say disabled people should not be discriminated against, and that disabled families need to be exempt from the 'tax', because they need an extra room to meet their needs.

Read: What is the Government's controversial 'bedroom tax'?

The 'bedroom tax' will affect around 660,000 social housing tenants across the country.

The under-occupancy charge sees housing benefit payments reduced for tenants in council or housing association properties with empty bedrooms.

Read: Tenants urge minister to think again about 'bedroom tax'