Winning a reprieve from the bedroom tax

Lynne Sample, Newcastle Socialist Party

After a long and stressful process, I have finally received a letter from North Tyneside Council giving me a short "reprieve" from paying the bedroom tax for the remaining year of my student daughter's course. I appealed in March.

I also received a reply to my application for discretionary payment, which stated: "Discretionary Housing Payment is only awarded for a short term period," and that I: "should use this period of time to try to improve my household financial circumstances or find somewhere cheaper to live"!

I have recently given an interview on BBC Radio Newcastle and quoted this letter, giving my views on it.

Lynn addressing an anti-bedroom tax demo in Newcastle

I have already tried to get "somewhere cheaper to live" to no avail. I have been told that there are not enough one-bedroomed council or housing association flats and houses. Private renting is more expensive even if I agreed with it, which I don't.

Perhaps I should buy a cheap tent and erect it outside the offices of Your Homes Newcastle - or 'No Homes Newcastle' as I now prefer to call them?

As to improving my "financial circumstances", what kind of a joke is this? The small annual rise in my occupational pension gets eaten up by increased fuel prices, food prices and bus fares.

As my pension is not large enough to sustain a flea, I have to (reluctantly) claim ESA. I am not fit to work and, at 60, I have also been robbed of my state pension until 64. In any case, who would employ me?

I have photocopied the aforementioned letter, along with other offensive missives from this council, and cut them into squares to hang from a nail in my toilet because I can't afford toilet roll anymore!

I tried to set up a local anti-bedroom tax group. I booked a local council-run community centre for this purpose known as John Willie Sams. With others I spent time leafleting and getting names on petitions.

The day before the meeting, I received a text from the manager to say that: "The council is not allowed to allow its resources to be used for public meetings for political purposes."

We decided to hold the meeting outside anyway and, while remonstrating with the manager, I got him to write this quote on a piece of paper, which also now hangs in my toilet.

Labour councillors must be "running scared" at the level of opposition to the bedroom tax and their refusal to oppose it.

I am now planning my next move and will keep you posted, but, in the meantime, I have a plentiful supply of toilet paper! There is always a plus side.

We demand:

Scrap the bedroom tax and write-off all the debt
Defend all those who cannot or will not pay
No evictions for rent arrears due to the tax or austerity cuts. Build an anti-eviction army
End all cuts - tax the bankers and the billionaires not bedrooms
For a programme of new council house building to meet social need

Build a mass movement against austerity starting with a 24-hour general strike organised by the trade unions

We can beat the bedroom tax!

Know your rights sheet:

www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/770/16928

Get in touch for campaign resources including leaflets and posters, or to send your campaign reports:

[email protected]

020 8988 8777

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Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.