Bedroom Tax Defeat for Council in Landmark Case

A housing association tenant in central London has won an appeal against the bedroom tax by Conservative-run Westminster city council, in what is thought to be the first such victory in England. Surinder Lall, who is blind, argued successfully to a tribunal that a room in his flat classified as a second bedroom had never been used as one and had always been where equipment helping him to lead a normal life was kept. In his decision notice, the judge wrote: "The term 'bedroom' is nowhere defined [in the relevant regulations]. I apply the ordinary English meaning. The room in question cannot be so defined." The council, which had decided in March to cut Lall's housing benefit, did not attend the hearing and will not appeal, although the DWP has said it may do so. Read more on the Guardian website.