Coalition welfare reforms aimed at reducing housing costs are causing severe and unintended financial consequences to vulnerable residents who are unable to adapt, a panel of MPs has reported. A report issued by the Commons Work and Pensions Committee on Wednesday, entitled Support for housing costs in the reformed welfare system, recommends the Government should exempt all households with a person claiming higher level disability benefits from the spare room subsidy -commonly known as the 'bedroom tax'. The impact of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)'s criteria for living space is having a particular impact on disabled people whose homes are specially adapted, or need a dedicated room for medical equipment or to house a carer, the MPs claim.
展开▼
