Lords’ vote against bedroom tax is a victory for common sense says NHF

The National Housing Federation (NHF) has hailed the House of Lords’ vote against the Government’s under-occupation proposals as “a victory for common sense and fairness” but warned that the fight continues.

Peers voted against Government plans to slash the housing benefit of social tenants deemed to be ‘under-occupying’ their homes. An amendment by Lord Best to exempt from the bedroom tax families with just one additional bedroom who are unable to move to a smaller property was supported by 258 to 190.

But the NHF has vowed to continue the campaign to ensure the decision is not reversed in the Commons.

The bedroom tax would see tenants lose up to £26 a week in housing benefit if they are deemed by the Department for Work and Pensions to have ‘extra’ bedrooms, regardless of how they are being used.

Lord Best pointed out that the measure would neither free up larger homes for overcrowded families, nor reduce the housing benefit bill. He was followed by a raft of experts from all parties, whose opposition to the proposals was unequivocal. In the end, the vote was won by a large margin of 68 votes, with every Crossbencher present voting in favour.

Members of the House of Lords raised concerns about how the Government’s proposals would affect families with teenagers of the same sex, foster children, people with disabilities, and informal care and support offered to friends, neighbours and family.

As well as cross-party support, the amendment was supported by nearly 50 charities and campaigning organisations. David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said: “This is a victory for fairness. Members of the House of Lords should be congratulated for taking a stand against a proposal which would achieve neither of the Government’s stated objectives of tackling overcrowding and saving money.”

Despite the vote, the amendment will still have to be ratified by the House of Commons before the Welfare Reform Bill becomes law. The NHF will be working to persuade the Government to listen to the clear signal sent by Peers and allow this compromise to stand.

A separate amendment, tabled by Labour, which would exempt anyone unable to find suitable accommodation, was also agreed. However, the Government made it clear that it would not be allowed to stand.

The debate turned to disabled people living in adapted homes and families with fostering responsibilities. Welfare Reform Minister, Lord Freud, promised an extra £30 million a year for local authorities to give out in discretionary housing payments where benefit cuts would threaten fostering and availability of adapted homes.

“We have argued hard for exemptions for these two groups and, although better than nothing, the people involved deserve more than to have to go cap in hand to their local authority each year, never knowing whether this is the year they will be forced to leave their home,” said Orr.