Labour MPs Attack Benefit Cut for Underoccupiers

Labour MPs have failed in their bid to stop housing benefit cuts for social tenants who underoccupy their homes. Shadow housing minister Karen Buck proposed that the Welfare Reform Bill be changed so that an underoccupying social tenant will not see their housing benefit cut if it is impossible to downsize to another social property. Speaking in the welfare reform bill committee, Ms Buck said there are not enough one-bedroom properties available for tenants living in homes with an extra bedroom to move into. She said the cut, which will start in 2013/14, was ‘not about tackling underoccupation’ but would ‘impose a cut on the income of some of the poorest people in this country from the minimum level on which they are expected to survive.’ An impact assessment from the Work and Pensions department revealed in February that a third of social tenants will be affected by the cut, and will lose around £11 a week. Read more on Inside Housing.