High court appeal against the 'bedroom tax'
Since 1 April 2013, persons deemed to have 1 spare bedroom have had their housing benefit reduced by 14% and persons deemed to have 2, or more, spare bedrooms have had their housing benefit reduced by 25%.
Today the High Court recognised that the bedroom tax does discriminate against some disabled people but decided it was legal, apart from in cases of disabled children unable to share a bedroom because of their impairments.
In response Richard Hawkes, chief executive of the disability charity Scope said:
“The judges have acknowledged that the Government is discriminating against disabled people.
“But they didn't go far enough. Disabled people will continue to be unfairly penalised by this policy.
“The majority of people affected by the 'bedroom tax' are disabled. Many need an additional room for specialist equipment, or so that their severely disabled child can sleep separately from their siblings. For them, a spare bedroom is not a luxury, it is an essential.
“The Government has repeatedly referred to a discretionary fund to support those hit by this cut. But we know that this money is not getting to disabled people.
“The fact is that in 2013, disabled people are struggling to make ends meet. Life costs more if you're disabled but living costs are spiralling, income is flat-lining, and many are getting into debt just to pay for essentials.
“Disabled people are also facing huge cuts to support that they need just to do the basics, like getting up, getting dressed and getting out of the house.
“The Government says time and time again that it is protecting benefits for disabled people but this simply isn't the case. We urgently need the Government to reconsider its approach to welfare.”
