Bid to Exempt Sanctuary Schemes from Bedroom Tax

Labour MP Alison Seabeck has successfully negotiated the first stage in her bid to exempt social housing tenants occupying properties with safe and sanctuary rooms from the bedroom tax, prompting the shadow Work and Pensions Secretary to promise that a Labour government would abolish the tax. Ms Seabeck, a former shadow housing minister, introduced a motion under the Ten Minute Rule. She said that around 280 victims of domestic violence living in homes with rooms fitted with strong bolts on the doors and bars on the windows are affected by the bedroom tax. Although some are receiving discretionary payments to meet the shortfall, she argued that protection for vulnerable women should not be at the discretion of cash-strapped local authorities. Read more on the Coalition Watch blog.