CONSERVATIVES and Liberal Democrats introduced the ‘bedroom tax’ to encourage those in social housing to downsize.
It was said this policy would save the country £35m a year. It has seen the cost of housing increase for some of our least well-off residents and I am proud to say I have played my small part in encouraging the Labour Party to pledge this policy will be repealed under a Labour Government.
Many Conservative councillors have defended the policy, often focusing on the name rather than the policy.
I would like to remind people of what was said by Conservative councillor Joe Watt some time ago. When the council was trying to encourage, not financially penalise people into down-sizing, to help with York’s homes crisis, he said: “It is simply offensive for the council to pursue a policy of encouraging households – particularly the retired – to downsize to make room for others” (March, 2009).
Cllr James Alexander, Labour Leader, City of York Council.
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