Bedroom farce

When the Con-Dems brought in the Bedroom Tax, they told us it was to get rid of ‘surplus rooms’ in social housing. They told us we should move to smaller properties, and that would reduce housing waiting lists.

My two young sons live with me for part of the week, and with their mum the rest of the time. They have done all their lives, they have two homes. This isn’t unusual these days. I’m low paid and am entitled to housing benefit. But I’m hit by the bedroom tax, costing me £22 a week. No wonder so many people are facing eviction because they can’t pay their rent.

I decided to exchange my three bedroom house with a family in a two bedroom who want to move. But the Labour council has refused because my kids don’t live with me full time.

I’m now in the ludicrous position of having to stay in a three bedroom house because a two bedroom is too big for me! Because one thing is certain – I’m not going to evict my own kids!

What happened to the human right to ‘a family life’? What happened to government demands that ‘fathers take responsibility’?

The Bedroom tax needs scrapping, completely, and now. And if they want to solve the housing waiting lists, a simple suggestion – build more council houses!”

A council tenant