As Bedroom Tax Bites Housing Arrears in Newcastle Soar

The bedroom tax has left Newcastle facing more than £250,000 of debt just weeks after hard-hit families were told to pay up. Across the city new figures show council tenants have from day one been unable to find the extra money needed as the Government cuts housing benefits for those with spare rooms.

In just six weeks the figure stood at £200,000-worth of new arrears for housing managers at Your Homes Newcastle. Continuing unemployment means overall rent arrears are more than half a million pounds higher than the housing provider would expect, and the figures are getting higher.  The bill could rise to £2m over a year.  Read more on the Newcastle Evening Chronicle website.