Bedroom Tax Could Cost Up To £1,400 Per Year

Plans to penalise social tenants living in homes deemed too large for their needs could cost hard up families in Britain up to £1,400 a year, new figures reveal. The Government has previously estimated that 670,000 families across the country will lose an average of £676 per year under the new social sector 'size criteria'. But an analysis by the National Housing Federation, shows the true extent of the cuts faced by many families. Based on cuts of up to 25% of a family’s housing benefit that the Government is considering introducing in 2013, a household deemed to be under-occupying a three-bedroom home in England faces losing up to £20.70 a week – or £1,076 a year. Such a household would be forced to choose between going into debt, struggling to meet payments by cutting back on essentials, or trying to move – even if no suitable alternative properties are available. Read more on the NHF website.