'bedroom Tax' - Anyone Agree With It?

[Gromit]

The so called 'Bedroom Tax' starts today. Anyone receiving Housing Benefit (HB) who has a spare room will have their HB reduced.

Will it solve the housing shortage?
or
Is it a cynical stealthy way to cut the benefits bill?

[cazzz1975]

if you can afford to buy cd's regularly you can afford to put a few quid away, I cant afford to buy cd's regularly and I dont claim HB!

[China Doll]

crisgel - I'm in the same position as your daughter, I rent a very nice flat but it will be a long time before I am able to get a mortgage if ever. However, just because I can't/don't own my home, that's no reason for me to need social housing, I can pay rent. While I agree that in this climate (and most others), some people will not be able to afford their own home, it doesn't then follow that they'll need social housing, some will (your daughter and her partner perhaps) and some will not (my partner and I).

What would be good for your daughter and I (I suspect) would be if there was a look at the rents people are paying for their properties. I think that there needs to be some thought in to this as rents can be extremely expensive. And actually, some thought in to how mortgages are given, what I pay in rent would definitely cover a monthly mortgage but I lack a deposit; I'm sure that there must be a more sensible way in this respect.

[sara3]

buying CDs is a luxury, and should come a long way down a list of priorities.. and surely not more important than the roof over your head???

[sandyRoe]

Does anyone else think that a home is more than 4 walls and a roof? People raise their families and when they fly the nest someone tells them that they're occupying to much space and all that's for them is to be decanted from the area they know into a tiny place miles away.
Many had contributed to the stability and cohesion of their neighbourhood. Whatever happened to the social contract?

[China Doll]

Does anyone else think that a home is more than 4 walls and a roof?

^^^ Yes, but this is a not a pragmatic way to think, it's sentimental and I don't think in the current climate it's helpful.

[sara3]

it's like benefits.. you get what you need at that time, in those circumstances.. not what you're used to getting.

[jackthehat]

Sandy - Many, many 'home-owners' make similar decisions once their children have flown the nest.
It's called 'down-sizing' and has been going on for generations. Just because your house was *given* to you for your occupation does not mean that the only time you ought to vacate it is via a wooden-box.

[bravejordy]

No, I don't agree with it. It definitely hasn't been thought through properly. I live in a two-bedroom council house and have done for over 20 years now. I live alone but as I'm disabled I require a carer to stay overnight on a regular basis. I'm in receipt of Housing Benefit, the rent on my house is £74 per week. Someone from the council phoned me in January to discuss the upcoming "bedroom tax" and asked me if I'd consider moving into a one-bedroom flat. Here's the part I just don't understand: All this welfare reform/bedroom tax is supposed to be about saving money, right? Well the one-bed flat they wanted me to move into has a rent of £92 per week (which, of course, would be paid by Housing Benefit), so, how on earth would this be saving money?

[jackthehat]

Quite, bravejordy.

The principle is sound.....it's the application that will be the problem.

[sara3]

good luck Desktop. you'll be needing it with that attitude.

[chrisgel]

China --- Yes my daughter rents privately too and yes the deposit is the deciding factor, What I was thinking about is that there will always be people who work and will not be able to afford to rent.
Whilst the country needs people to sweep roads, catering, labouring etc which pays minimum wage there will always be genuine cases of good hardworking people who will never be able to afford to buy.
Please note I am not referring to workshy, feckless layabouts who bring their woes on themselves.
The Victorians understood the need to house their employees and this is where most of the housing stock that was sold off came from.

[cazzz1975]

easter chocolate is a con, well done for resisting desky :)

[friedgreentomato]

Well em thank you for you comments on my response, you are one bitter individual

[Baldric]

I haven't had any Easter choccy either,
oh woe is me!

[naomi24]

Desktop,// keep your noses out and look after your own affairs ….. cazz and sara 3//

When their taxes are paying your living expenses, it is their affair.

[sandyRoe]

Could Iain Duncan Smith, as good a model for a workhouse master as I've ever seen, not devise some scheme that would protect the deserving poor and direct plans like these towards the feckless and indolent?

[MadMen]

"so please shut your mouth cazz and sara 3"

Bit rude, Desky... although I suppose you did say please.

It's obviously quite stressful for you, this bedroom tax malarkey, but there's no need to be rude to other people, when all they're doing is offering you constructive help. See it as good advice, and not as a negative.

With regards to the OP, yes, I do agree with it.

[Boto]

Well said, Naomi!

[grasscarp]

If Desktop you really want us to "keep our noses out" of your affairs why do you continually report your daily fed up ness, missed appointments, bowel habits, arguments with your husband, problems with landlord, your washing machine, your lack of money etc etc. Keep it all to yourself. Simples.