Government Spends £100,000 On Lawyers To Defend The Bedroom Tax

The DWP has spent over £100,000 on lawyers fighting a court battle to save its controversial “bedroom tax” policy. Ministers were told that the under-occupancy charge – which mainly affects disabled people – was “unlawful” and “discriminatory” by the Court of Appeal in January. The Government had been taken to court by the parents of a severely disabled child, who were forced to pay the charge on a room slept in by overnight carers and used to store specially adapted equipment. Around £50,000 of taxpayers’ cash was spent fighting the vulnerable people’s claims. Now new figures disclosed by ministers show £52,299 extra has already been spent on legal costs. Read more on the Independent website.

Court Fees for Rent Arrears Eviction to Rise By 150%

Social housing tenants evicted from their home due to rent arrears are set to be hit by a 150% increase in court fees. The standard county court fee for a rent arrears possession case will rise from £100 to £250 from 22 April.  The costs are initially met by the landlord but are then included on top of the tenant's rents arrears. Bedroom tax campaigners have accused the government of heaping more misery on tenants hit by the controversial under-occupation policy. Read more on 24dash.