Government Wins 'Bedroom Tax' Vote

The government has comfortably won a vote on the controversial ‘bedroom tax.’ MPs voted by 316 votes to 263 not to accept an amendment passed by the House of Lords which would have watered down the policy, which will cut benefit for social housing tenants with one or more spare rooms. Lord Best’s amendment would have delayed the penalty for foster carers, war widows, disabled people and the sick with a spare room until suitable alternative accommodation became available. Labour MP Frank Field said the policy, which the government estimates will cost 670,000 households £14 a week on average, would be ‘a recruitment sergeant to the money lenders.’ Read more on Inside Housing.