MP Calls for Rural Communities to Be Freed From Bedroom Tax

A Conservative MP has called on the government to make small rural communities exempt from the bedroom tax. Anne McIntosh, MP for Thirsk and Malton and chair of the House of Commons environment, food and rural affairs select committee, said a "chronic shortage" of one and two-bedroom homes in her north east constituency made it difficult for people to downsize. Referring to a recent report published by the committee, Miss McIntosh said: "We recommended that small rural communities should be exempt from the bedroom tax.  In my area, there is a chronic shortage of one and two-bedroom homes. Until such a time as we can rehouse those who wish to downsize, allowing larger families to move into larger properties, housing will remain a problem.” Read more on 24dash.