Lib Dems 'Ignored Chance to Soften Bedroom Benefits Cut Impact'

The Lib Dems were given the chance in March to soften the impact of benefit cuts for people judged to have too many bedrooms, BBC Newsnight has been told. Options were drawn up by civil servants and presented to both coalition parties that would have allowed councils to cushion the impact of cuts under the policy - what supporters refer to as the "spare room subsidy", but which critics have dubbed the "bedroom tax". The civil service proposed the lifting of a cap on discretionary housing payments (DHPs), which would have allowed councils greater flexibility to help people struggling because of the penalty. The Lib Dems are accused by government officials of ignoring this suggestion. Read more on the BBC website.