Homes 'Standing Empty' Because Of Bedroom Tax

The shadow work and pensions secretary has claimed homes are being left empty because of the bedroom tax, and called for the controversial policy to be axed.  Liam Byrne said three-bedroom homes ‘in places like the north east’ are being left vacant because the under-occupation penalty means families on housing benefit cannot afford the rent.  Addressing Iain Duncan Smith, he said: ‘There are now 53,000 households being put up in temporary accommodation, which is costing the taxpayer billions of pounds.  When will he admit the truth: the hated bedroom tax now costs more than it saved? It is time to scrap it, and scrap it for good.’  Mr Duncan Smith said councils have received funding for discretionary housing payments, which can be used to help families hit by the government’s welfare reforms, including the bedroom tax.  Read more on Inside Housing.